Congratulations are in order for formerStrictly Come Dancing professionalsJanette Manrara andAljaž Skorjanec whohave announced that they are expecting their first child together.
The couple, who became fan favourites after joining the Strictly line-up back in 2013, took to Instagram to share their baby news as they posted a snap from a photoshoot withHello! where Aljaž could be seen cradling Janette’s blossoming bump.
"We’re so happy to share our special news!" the pair wrote of their pregnancy joy.
So, as the couple embark on a new chapter in their relationship, let’s take a look at where their love story first began…
With their shared love of dancing, perhaps it’s no surprise that the dancefloor is exactly where the couple met in 2010 when they performed alongside one another in a production of Burn The Floor.
By the time they both joined BBC One’s Strictly in 2013 the pair were an item and Janette even cites the show as having “saved” their relationship by stopping them from going long-distance.
In fact, before securing a slot on the popular show, Aljaž, 32, was preparing to head to Slovenia while Janette, 39, was about to be over 6,000 miles away in Los Angeles.
“Getting Strictly Come Dancing was the most incredible thing, not just for my career but for my personal life and marriage with Aljaž because if it wasn’t for Strictly, I don’t know if we could have worked through the long-distance thing,” Janette told theSliding Doors podcast in 2021.
After dating for a number of years, Aljaž got down on one knee and proposed to Janette in 2015 after taking her back to the dance studio where they met while preparing for Burn The Floor.
The couple said “I do” during a romantic ceremony in London in the summer of 2017 in front of Strictly faces from past and present, including Karen Clifton and Katya Jones -and OK! was there to capture every magical moment, too.
Following nine series on Strictly, in 2021 Janette announced that she would be stepping back as a professional dancer in order to be a presenter on spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
One year later Aljaž followed suit as he made time to pursue other interests and opportunities.
Since stepping back from the show, the couple have opened up about navigating their life post Strictly and even spoke to OK! In October about their attempts to learn to live like a ‘normal’ couple.
Prior to the couple’s recent pregnancy announcement, the pair had addressed theconstant speculation that surrounded whether they would be starting a family together.
“We’ve been in the public eye 10 years and sometimes you don’t realise how much of yourselves you’re going to have to give,” Aljaž told OK! last year.
“That’s something I learnt quickly as if not, you can feel like you have nothing left for yourselves. You can’t stop people asking things.”
Following the couple’s happy news, the pair’s followers were quick to offer messages of congratulations.
“[heart emojis] yayyyyyyyyyyyy so excited for you,” wrote fellow pro dancer Dianne Buswell. “Wheeeeyyyyyyy!,” added Stacey Dooley.
Meanwhile, Catherine Tyldesley commented: “Oh guys!!!! This is utterly wonderful!!!! So thrilled for you both xxxx”.
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