Connect with us

Entertainment

Strictly’s Janette Manrara bursts into laughter as Aljaz Skorjanec recalls rocky start to romance

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaz Skorjanec has recalled the exact moment he knew he had fallen in love with fellow dancer Janette Manrara… even though she wasn’t quite as taken with him.

In 2013, both Aljaz, 30, and Janette, 37, became professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing.

The couple wed four years later, having been together for around a decade in total.

Aljaz and Janette have long been seen as one of the fairytale couples of Strictly Come Dancing, which made their 77-day separation during last year’s series that much more difficult for them.

However, their romance wasn’t smooth sailing from the outset, as Janette didn’t return Aljaz’s affection straight away.

During a virtual appearance on Wednesday’s edition of Loose Women, the couple were asked whether it’s true that Aljaz fell in love at first sight despite that feeling not being reciprocated, prompting Janette to burst into laughter.

Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara
Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara have been together for a decade (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Although Aljaz said it ‘wasn’t easy’ to admit, he told the panel that was indeed the truth.

‘From my side it was love at first sight and from Janette’s side it definitely wasn’t,’ he added, as Janette chuckled.

During the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Janette and Aljaz were forced to stay apart as they formed bubbles with their respective celebrity partners, HRVY and Clara Amfo.

While they found it ‘tricky’ being separated for that long – with Aljaz spotted tearing up during one of Janette’s performances – Janette said they would do it all again if it was required for Strictly to go ahead.

‘If we had to we absolutely would because I think Strictly Come Dancing was such a necessity, I think for all of us to have a bit of escapism and just a bit of joy in our lives on our tellies on Saturday nights,’ Janette said.

‘If we had to do it again, we’d do it again with our eyes closed, because we were just so grateful to be able to dance and to perform and to make people happy.’

During her video chat with the Loose Women panel, Janette also spoke about her wish to have a baby with Aljaz, saying that she believes her husband will be an ‘incredible dad’.

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.


MORE : Alex Jones left red-faced over Strictly Come Dancing stars Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec ‘baby news’ blunder


MORE : Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer ‘would’ve fought’ for Kevin Clifton marriage as she opens up on split