Professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec has quit Strictly Come Dancing after nine years
(Picture: BBC)Aljaz Skorjanec has announced he is quitting TV series Strictly Come Dancing after nine years.
The 32-year-old Slovenian national initially joined as a professional back in 2013, winning the 11th series with model Abbey Clancey.
Confirming his decision to leave on Instagram, he shared a lengthy statement alongside images highlighting his time on the BBC dance competition.
It began: “On a beautiful sunny day in May 2013 one phone call changed my life forever!
“It went like this... we would like to offer you a position on @bbcstrictly as a professional dancer. A dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23-year-old boy from Slovenia.
“It didn’t matter how many beautiful ballrooms I performed in during my competitive career, stepping onto the sacred Strictly floor was the most nervous I had ever been.”
He continued: “A little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last.
“The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last 9 years.
“The love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. Louise Rainbow, Sarah James, Kim Winston, Jack Gledhill are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show - I am forever grateful to them!
“Being a part of a group of professionals that inspire and push you to be better every step of the way is humbling and I will carry that inspiration with me forever.”
He went on to share with his 540k followers that “every year the lineup of dancers would change but one thing stayed the same, WE WERE THE BEST!”, noting, “And this is one thing that I know will never change on Strictly!”
Turning his attention to the people he has worked with on the show, he hailed what he described as the “BEST backstage team,” thanking “the hair and make-up team, costume department, lighting, sound, props and special effects and camera operators.”
He then acknowledged his “beautiful partners - Abbey Clancy, Alison Hammond, Helen George, Daisy Lowe, Kate Silverton, Gemma Atkinson, Emma Weymouth, Clara Amfo and Sara Davies,” telling them: “It’s hard to put into words how many beautiful memories we have had. I LOVE YOU ALL!”
Mr Skorjanec married fellow professional dancer Janette Manrara, 38, in 2013.
She recently left the show to present spin-off Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two alongside Rylan Clark.
In a special nod to her, he wrote: “Your talent and selflessness knows no bounds. We were dating when we started together on the show and now we are husband and wife. We got to perform with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, BBC Symphony Orchestra.. moments I will keep in my heart forever. I LOVE YOU!”
His last, but no means least special mention of thanks went to the Strictly Come Dancing fans, whom he thanked for their “kindness”.
“Every comment, vote, kind message never went unnoticed. You are the reason we all do it, thank you!” he penned.
Teasing “lots of exciting stuff planned that I will fill you in on soon,” and how he “can’t wait to see what the future holds,” he signed off with the show’s famous catchphrase: “KEEEEEP DANCING!”
Commenting on his exit, Sarah James, Executive Producer of Strictly, said in a statement: “We are so sad to be saying goodbye to Aljaz after almost a decade as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
“Since lifting the glitterball with Abbey Clancy in his debut series he has become a firm favourite with viewers across the country.
“During his nine series he has provided us with some unforgettable moments on the show through his incredible choreography, passion for dance and heart of gold. He will be missed by his Strictly family, both on and off the dancefloor, and we wish him only the very best as he embarks on his next chapter,” they concluded.
His departure follows Oti Mabuse, who announced she wouldn’t be returning for the new series back in February.
