Aljaž Škorjanec Janette Manrara Announcement – Pregnancy Reveal and Strictly Updates

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara shared joyful news with fans in early 2023, announcing they were expecting their first child. The couple, who met on the BBC dance show, revealed the pregnancy during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

The announcement came after the couple had already passed the 12-week mark of pregnancy and had received confirmation from their doctor that the baby was healthy. According to their interview on the programme, the pregnancy had been progressing smoothly, though Aljaž reportedly experienced more pregnancy symptoms than Janette, leading the couple to joke that they were “pregnant together.”

Before going public with the news, the couple chose to share their excitement with their closest family first. On Christmas Day 2022, while celebrating in Miami, Janette and Aljaž told their parents and siblings the special news. The couple described feeling fortunate and expressed their happiness at the prospect of parenthood, with Janette showing a small baby bump that presenters praised as “gorgeous.”

What was Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara’s announcement?

The couple announced they were expecting their first child together, confirming months of speculation from Strictly Come Dancing fans who had noticed subtle hints on social media. During their exclusive interview on Lorraine, Janette and Aljaž spoke openly about their excitement and the journey that led them to this moment.

Who is the baby of Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara?

The couple welcomed their daughter, Lyra Mary Škorjanec, on 13 July 2023. The birth was confirmed through subsequent family updates shared via social media and interviews, marking a joyful milestone for the Strictly Come Dancing stars.

First milestones and family life

Following Lyra’s birth, the couple has shared glimpses of their growing family life on Instagram, documenting their daughter’s first milestones. In 2024, posts showed the family settling into life as parents while balancing their demanding television careers. The couple maintains their home base in London, where they continue to work on various television projects while prioritising family time.

Public reaction to the birth

Fan responses to the announcement and subsequent birth were overwhelmingly positive. Viewers of the Lorraine interview expressed immediate excitement, with comments ranging from “brilliant news” to observations that they had “never seen anyone more excited.” The Strictly fan community celebrated what they termed the “Strictly baby,” with fellow professionals including Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez sharing their well-wishes.

Is Aljaž Škorjanec returning to Strictly after the announcement?

Following their pregnancy announcement, the couple made deliberate career decisions that reflected their new family situation. Janette did not return to the Strictly Come Dancing main competition for the 2023 series, choosing instead to focus on her pregnancy and upcoming motherhood.

Janette’s broadcasting role

During the 2023 Strictly series, Janette took on a prominent presenting role for the show’s official spin-off programme, It Takes Two. The position allowed her to remain connected to the show she had been part of as a professional dancer for years while accommodating the physical demands of late pregnancy and new motherhood. Her hosting duties were well-received by viewers who appreciated seeing her expertise and personality in a new context.

Aljaž’s competitive comeback

Aljaž returned to the Strictly dance floor in 2024 after a two-year hiatus from the competition. Partnered with Tasha Ghouri, the couple demonstrated strong performances throughout the series, ultimately reaching the semi-finals. The return marked a significant moment for Aljaž, who had been absent from the competition since his initial years on the show. Their partnership garnered positive attention from both judges and viewers, with performances showcasing Aljaž’s established choreography skills combined with Tasha’s learning curve as a first-time Strictly competitor.

What is the relationship between Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara?

Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara first crossed paths on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, when both joined the show as professional dancers. Their professional partnership developed into a personal relationship over subsequent years, with the couple eventually marrying in 2017.

Professional backgrounds

Both dancers built substantial careers within the British dance television landscape. Janette, originally from Miami, established herself as a skilled Latin dancer, while Aljaž brought his background in ballroom and Latin dancing to the show. Their complementary styles made them popular figures among Strictly viewers, though they were not partnered together competitively during their dancing careers. Their individual expertise contributed to numerous memorable routines throughout their tenure on the programme.

Current status and activities

As of 2024, the couple continues to navigate their careers alongside parenthood. While Janette has embraced presenting opportunities, including her It Takes Two hosting role, Aljaž has returned to competitive dancing with renewed focus. They remain based in London, where they can balance their professional commitments with family life. Their relationship has frequently been highlighted as one of the strong bonds within the Strictly professional dancing community, with their mutual support evident in how they have managed the various transitions in their careers.

Timeline of key events

The journey from colleagues to expectant parents unfolded across several significant moments that the couple shared with their audience.

1. 2013 – Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara met as professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing
2. 2017 – The couple married, cementing their personal relationship
3. December 2022 – Janette and Aljaž shared the pregnancy news with their parents and siblings during Christmas Day celebrations in Miami
4. Early 2023 – The couple appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to publicly announce their pregnancy after passing the 12-week milestone
5. July 2023 – Daughter Lyra Mary Škorjanec was born on 13 July
6. Autumn 2023 – Janette hosted Strictly It Takes Two throughout the series season
7. 2024 – Aljaž returned to Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Tasha Ghouri and reaching the semi-finals

Confirmed information versus remaining questions

A review of available information reveals what has been established through official announcements and public statements, alongside areas where details remain limited.

Background and context

Strictly Come Dancing has a history of professional dancers who have formed lasting relationships while working on the programme. Janette and Aljaž represent one of several couples who met through their shared work on the show, with their pregnancy announcement resonating particularly strongly given their public profiles within the Strictly community.

The couple’s decision to announce on Lorraine rather than through social media first reflected their desire to share the news in a personal, controlled environment. The interview format allowed them to speak directly to viewers, conveying their genuine excitement and providing context that a social media post alone might not capture. Their openness about experiencing pregnancy symptoms together and their plans to temporarily adjust their professional commitments struck a relatable tone with audience members.

The announcement also placed them within a broader narrative of Strictly professionals balancing demanding television careers with family life. Their subsequent career adjustments, with Janette moving to presenting and Aljaž taking time away before his competitive return, illustrated practical approaches to managing these commitments.

Sources and official statements

The primary source for the announcement details comes from the couple’s appearance on ITV’s Lorraine programme, where they discussed their news directly with presenters and viewers.

The couple described their excitement, with Janette feeling lucky and displaying a small baby bump praised as “gorgeous” by presenters.

Additional context comes from the couple’s social media activity on Instagram, where family updates have been shared periodically following Lyra’s birth. Reports from entertainment publications have covered various milestones, with the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing coverage documenting Aljaž’s return to competitive dancing in 2024.

The couple’s management has not provided additional statements beyond those already shared through their television appearances and personal social media channels.

Summary

Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara announced their first pregnancy in early 2023 during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, sharing that they had already told close family members during Christmas celebrations in Miami the previous year. Their daughter, Lyra Mary Škorjanec, was born on 13 July 2023. Following the birth, Janette took on presenting duties for Strictly It Takes Two during the 2023 series, while Aljaž returned to competitive dancing in 2024, reaching the semi-finals with partner Tasha Ghouri. The announcement generated widespread positive reaction from fans and fellow Strictly professionals alike, with the couple continuing to share their journey into parenthood while maintaining their prominent positions within the British television dance community.

For those interested in other entertainment news coverage, our piece on the Cast of Crazy Rich Asians – Full List and Key Roles provides similar behind-the-scenes insights into television production.

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