It’s a beautiful, sunny morning and we’re chatting to beaming dad-to-be Aljaž Škorjanec, who’s currently enjoying a babymoon in his native Slovenia with his wife Janette Manrara.
The former Strictly pro has plenty of reasons to smile, as not only is fatherhood on the horizon, but he and It Takes Two host Janette have just moved into a gorgeous new home in Cheshire.
“I’ve been ready to be a dad since I was about 20-years-old,” says Aljaž, 33, who is currently “relaxing and seeing family” in his homeland. “With our careers, it was always going to be completely down to Janette’s timing.
“Our bodies are our tools and I would never put any pressure on her. When she ventured more into the presenting world we were able to fully decide, ‘Right, let’s go for it.’ But then it still took us quite a while.”
Aljaž is referring to the fact that the couple were on the cusp of starting IVF when Janette, 39, suddenly got pregnant naturally.
“It’s hard mentally, it’s hard physically. It’s a big test,” he admits. “The struggles some people go through to fall pregnant – I’m just amazed by women.
“I’ve found a complete new respect for my beautiful little Janette, who I love more than anything. It’s a little miracle how we got here.”
Despite things taking a little longer than expected, the couple are now thriving – but it’s not just Janette who’s going through a roller-coaster of emotions.
“I’m pregnant with her – I cry pretty much every single day!” says Aljaž. “I just watched a couple of videos from Britain’s Got Talent and I was sobbing.”
Happy tears aside, it sounds like the couple – who know the gender of their baby but are choosing to keep it under wraps – are weathering the ups and downs of pregnancy well.
“Pregnancy has been smooth sailing,” he says. “Janette’s back is hurting a little now and she’s not sleeping properly, but it could be worse.”
Aljaž first appeared on our TV screens in 2013 and won an army of fans after winning his first series of Strictly with model Abbey Clancy. He quit the show in 2022 after nine successful seasons, partnering the likes of Helen George, Alison Hammond and Daisy Lowe. Talk naturally turns to the late, great Len Goodman, the beloved Strictly judge who passed away just days before our chat.
“Len became a really, really good friend. We formed this amazing relationship,” says Aljaž. “Generations apart, worlds apart, but we found a little love for foxtrot and it bonded us. He was an incredible human being.”
Despite moving away from London for a more chilled way of life, Aljaž says he and Janette haven’t been nesting as much as they might have imagined.
“We just moved to Cheshire a couple of months ago, but Janette has been away working with Disney – one of her dream jobs. So we haven’t spent that much time at home,” he says. “But we love it where we live now – it’s so green and peaceful.”
As to how their new home is coming along, it sounds like Aljaž is letting his wife take the lead.
“I love interiors, but I’ve realised I know nothing about it,” he laughs. “My job is just to
nod and to say yes. But the nursery is well underway.”
Preparing for their new arrival aside, the dancer recently opened up about his struggles with psoriasis, a skin condition that he’s been plagued with since he was 18. He believes the “stress” of moving to Australia for work in his teens triggered it.
Since then, he’s tried “between 30 to 40 different steroid creams”, but says most were quick fixes, after which his skin would break out again.
Luckily, he’s found products that are natural and steroid-free. “Around two years ago I read about Medovie online, so I started using the products,” he says of the skincare brand.
“It has been a tremendous success story for me. It’s so close to my heart and it’s important to spread the word.”
Aljaž, who admits to being “physically, mentally and emotionally” affected by the condition, adds, “If I can help even one person, then great. It’s the first time ever that something natural has worked for my skin.
Managing his stress levels has also helped keep his condition under control.
“Dancing is one thing that has always kept my stress levels down, and now that I don’t dance as much, my biggest chill pill is my Janette. We talk about everything and anything – it’s important to talk. Your best days, your worst days… communication is the key.”
On the subject of health and fitness, it doesn’t sound like Aljaž will be developing much of a “dad-bod”.
He says, “I’m going to be dancing around the house, in the middle of the night, with my baby. I’m so looking forward to it all.
“I want to be there for every feed, every sleep, for every step they make. Being a dad will be the most important job I’ve ever had.”
With new beginnings just around the corner, what’s next on the work front for Aljaž?
“On our tours, Janette and I started presenting more and now I enjoy the mic side of it just as much as I do the dancing side,” he says. “I’d love to start hosting more together and, hopefully, that’s where our future goes. I think we have something special.”
A new book, Take Control Of Your Psoriasis With The Medovie Method, will be available on Amazon later this year. See medovie.com
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