Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaž Škorjanec has revealed why he quit the BBC dance show last year.
After nine seasons the professional dancer, 33, hung up his sequinned suits and bid the dance floor farewell.
Aljaž, who is expecting a baby with Strictly star Janette Manrara, 39, had amassed a legion of loyal fans while on Strictly, but said he needed to leave to 'focus on other opportunities'.
Speaking about why he decided to call it a day, he explained: "A year and a half ago I hit an early midlife crisis and now I don't know what I want to do in my life.
"I love talking now, so I love doing Q&As birthdays, calls - don't make me dance but I can talk for ages."
The dancer is now looking forward to becoming a father, but has also been tipped to be join his wife on Strictly's It Take's Two.
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article30025450.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Celebrities-At-The-UK-Premiere-Of-The-Little-Mermaid-In-London.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article30009245.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/3_Strictly-Come-Dancing-Live-Tour-Press-Launch.jpg)
Asked what he thought of Janette's BBC2 gig, he told the Daily Star: "As a husband it is just amazing when your wife gets paid to talk - the evenings are very different."
Janette and Aljaž got married in 2017 and announced their first pregnancy March after finding out the news during the Strictly tour in December.
The dancer previously said: "We found out we were pregnant during our Christmas tour, and on the last show, I held tears in my eyes dancing that dance because Aljaz and I shared a moment right before we performed celebrating the 3 of us, on stage, dancing together before anyone else in the world found out our very special little secret."
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article28639165.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1058102_GEMMA_ALJAZ_569d0084a71522637daace0a8283a8d0jpeg.jpg)
In April, Janette was overcome with emotion when she showed off her first baby gift from her friends.
Taking to Instagram she said: "Hi team, I've had a bit of a crazy week and we've had builders in and we've finally got rid of loads of cardboard boxes although there are still a few thing that need to be done but we are getting there with the house.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29949329.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Pride-Of-Manchester-Arrivals.jpg)
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29270206.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Strictlys-Janette-Manrara-and-Aljaz-Skorjanec-reveal-lockdown-was-tough-on-them-financially.jpg)
"I got some gifts over the weekend from some very special ladies, they know who they are, that I wanted to share it with you all because oh my gosh... watch.
The Cuban-American performer then showed two adorable baby grows with one saying "Born to Dance, Just like Mummy and Daddy", and the other read: "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them - Walt Disney."