Aljaž Škorjanec has revealed the real reason he quit Strictly Come Dancing 12 months after his wife is because he missed her too much.
The former Strictly pro spent eight years dancing with Janette Manrara on the BBC hit show before she left to take over Zoe Ball as host of spin-off show It Takes Two last year.
Her absence was felt by Aljaž who says he couldn’t get used to being paired with others professionally.
Speaking exclusively to OK!, he said: “I made the decision a while ago but I never knew when was the right time to do it.
“It was different doing it without Janette. My job was very different. Strictly is the most incredible opportunity but sometimes I needed that shoulder right next to me for a hug. It felt really different.
“Everyone advised me not to leave but life is too short and you have to go after things.”
However, his departure has left Aljaž feeling so raw he hasn’t braved returning to the studios to watch his former co-stars just yet.
He admitted: “It’s going to take a few weeks. I don’t think I’m ready, I can’t do that yet. I’ve watched some of the dances back on telly because I love my fellow co-workers.”
Aljaž is now taking some time out for himself while training to be an actor. He started taking lessons in Zoom and explained at 32 he is excited about a new future outside of dance.
He said: “I started acting lessons on Zoom in lockdown. It’s a different muscle you have to train, learning a script. I can remember steps for hours but doing lines, portraying that character, it’s a new skill for me. I feel nervous but excited about what the future holds.”
He praised his wife for being his biggest support as he pursues his new venture.
He added: “I couldn’t have hoped for more. Leaving a job like Strictly, people think you’re crazy. But the way Janette has been has been humbling. Once we talked about it and she heard me out, she agreed the important thing in life is to do what makes you happy.”
After eight years dancing together on the BBC hit, Janette, 38, and Aljaž, 32, are learning to live like a normal couple and experiencing time apart.
Opening up about the role Strictly played in their romance, Aljaž gushed: “It gave us this beautiful opportunity to strive not just as ourselves but as a couple. To get Strictly on the same day and do it for eight years together, we were very lucky.
“I’ve always enjoyed having the same job – we’ve literally been together 24/7 for 11 years. It’s hard to get used to. We’re getting used to being a normal couple now. I’m just not there yet.
“Whenever we spend time away from each other we can’t wait to get back together, which is lovely. It makes us miss each other more.”
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