The Strictly couple have been married since 2017.
Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec tied the knot in 2017 (Image: ITV)
Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec have been happily married since 2017. The couple first met at London studios Dance Attic in 2010 and went on to star opposite each other in the show Burn the Floor in the US. They both landed a spot as professionals on Strictly in 2013 and their relationship has only strengthened since. Aljaž, 35, got down on one knee in the very studio they first met, asking Janette, 42, to marry him.
They tied the knot two years later and welcomed a baby girl named Lyra in July 2023. Prior to walking down the aisle, the ballroom dancers opened up about what they enjoy doing when the cameras aren’t rolling, revealing they enjoy the simple things in life. The couple said: “Definitely cuddling on the couch with the fire on watching an incredible TV series. Chilling at home is our favourite thing to do. We also have a great group of friends so we meet up for dinners in town too!” They also revealed which series they enjoy, including Game of Thrones, Call the Midwife and Don’t Tell the Bride.
Janette quit her role as a professional on Strictly in 2021 and became a presenter on the spin-off It Takes Two the same year.
Ahead of the Strictly final last month, Janette appeared on BBC Breakfast and was grilled about what lies ahead for the show, following the exits of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Asked by host Naga Munchetty if “she’d thrown her dancing shoes in the ring” to take over, Janette admitted everyone is in the dark about who will be next to present.
“That is like the golden ticket to Willy Wonka, you know?” she said. “Nobody knows. Nobody knows what’s happening.
“I think right now, all I do know is that all of our producers, the incredible exec, Sarah James, they’re really, really focusing on this series, on these contestants, giving a proper goodbye to Tess and Claudia, and for the finalists to just have the best, best night.”
The couple share a daughter named Lyra (Image: Instagram/JanetteManrara)
When pressed by Naga, she added: “I will say that. Who doesn’t want that job? It’s the best job if you work in entertainment, if you love warm, happy, family, fun, entertainment. I think it’s the best job in the world that anybody would love to have.”
When Charlie Stayt asked her to clarify whether she actually wanted the role, Janette pushed back, saying he was “putting words in her mouth” and that she could “see what he’s doing”.
“I’m not saying I don’t want the job,” she quipped. “It is the dream, you know, to do that, but It Takes Two has been so good to me.
“I have to say, as a professional dancer on the show, it’s so hard to go off and do other things, and the fact that I’ve been given the opportunity as a professional dancer to now go and host It Takes Two, and of course Morning Live, is really phenomenal.”
The star added: “I kind of still pinch myself that it happened. So if I get it, the party will be big!”
