Janette Manrara & Aljaz Skorjanec - Strictly Professional Dancers

From the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom to the BBC Two sofa, Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec remain one of the show’s best‑loved power couples. Here’s everything fans ask Google about the dynamic duo – all in one place.

Aljaž and Janette are two of the most popular Strictly Come Dancing professionals, loved by fans across the UK for their chemistry, charm, and world-class dancing. Table of Contents

Who are Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec?

Where can I dance with Aljaž & Janette in person?

Join them at Donahey’s 5★ ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Weekends. Expect:

• Intimate showcase performances – glitter guaranteed
  
• Masterclasses led by the Strictly pros
  
• Photo ops, and ballroom glamour galore
  

“What a FAB‑U‑LOUS event to attend. A real feel‑good weekend.” – Janette Manrara
“A clear 10 from me!” – Aljaž Škorjanec

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March 2026
4* De Vere Beaumont Estate, Old Windsor
Starring Anton, Kai, Lauren, Gio, Michelle, Simone, David & Rosie, Leandro & Maria, Lance
Early Bird £659pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Don’t miss out – less than 45 bedrooms remaining 

⭐ Join your favourite Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, British Ballroom Champions, Argentine Tango Stars plus fabulous live music from The Tony Greenwood Big Band.⭐

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport
Starring Gorka & Karen, Amy & Carlos, Aljaz & Janette, Oti, Leandro & Maria, Aaron & Niamh
Early Bird £709pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

⭐ Join your favourite Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, British & World Ballroom Champions, Argentine Tango Stars plus fabulous live music from The Tony Greenwood Big Band.⭐

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 2026
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport
Starring Gorka, Karen, Anton, Aljaz, Janette, Gio, David & Rosie, Leandro & Maria, Lance & more tba
Early Bird £709pp Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Don’t miss out – less than 30 bedrooms remaining

⭐ Join your favourite Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, British & World Ballroom Champions, Argentine Tango Stars plus fabulous live music from The Tony Greenwood Big Band.⭐

How old and how tall are Aljaž & Janette?

Dancer	Age (2025)	Birthday	Height
Aljaž	35	19 Feb 1990	1.83 m
Janette	41	16 Nov 1983	1.52 m

Where do Aljaž & Janette come from?

• Aljaž – Born in Ptuj, Slovenia, he started dancing aged five and is a 19‑time Slovenian national champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten Dance.
  
• Janette – Raised in Miami, Florida, trained in Ballroom, Ballet, Jazz, Salsa and Hip‑hop.

Are Aljaž & Janette married – and do they have children?

Aljaž proposed to Janette in August 2015 and in July 2017 the pair held three weddings (London, Miami, Slovenia). Their beautiful daughter Lyra Rose was born in July 2023.

Strictly’s Aljaz & Janette chat about Donahey’s 5* Weekend Breaks…

Aljaz Skorjanec Facts

What are Aljaž Škorjanec’s greatest dance achievements?

• 2013 Glitterball winner (with Abbey Clancy).
  
• 19× Slovenian champion across Ballroom, Latin & Ten Dance.
  
• Lead dancer in the West End production ‘Burn the Floor’.
  
• 2024 Strictly finalist with Tasha Ghouri.

What is Aljaž’s favourite dance?

He can’t pick just one – Paso Doble for drama and Foxtrot for pure class.

Who has Aljaž danced with on Strictly?

Year	Celebrity Partner	Position
2013	Abbey Clancy	Winner (1st Place)
2014	Alison Hammond	10th
2015	Helen George	6th
2016	Daisy Lowe	8th
2017	Gemma Atkinson	Runner-up (2nd Place)
2018	Kate Silverton	8th
2019	Emma Weymouth	9th
2020	Clara Amfo	7th
2021	Sara Davies	8th
2024	Tasha Ghouri	Runner-up (2nd Place)

Has Aljaž ever won Strictly Come Dancing?

Yes. He lifted the Glitterball on his debut series in 2013 with Abbey Clancy – the original “A‑Team”.

Who is Aljaz’s professional dance partner?

His wife, Janette Manrara.

What’s Aljaz’s favourite dance?

Aljaz loves both the Paso Doble and the Foxtrot.

When did Aljaz Skorjanec join Strictly?

We first got a glimpse of that oh-so-cheeky smile back in 2013 when Aljaz hit our screens and joined Strictly.

Does Aljaž ever have wardrobe malfunctions?

Yes – in Movie Week 2017 he lost a faux ear mid‑Charleston with Gemma Atkinson to The Jungle Book’s Bear Necessities. (He laughed it off – the show must go on!)

Highlights from Aljaz & …….’s Strictly 2025 Journey

As soon as Aljaz hits the dance floor, we’ll bring you the standout moments, Judges’ scores, and fan-favourite performances — all right here.

Find out more about Aljaz’s dancing profile on his official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page

Janette Manrara Facts

What are Janette Manrara’s greatest achievements?

• One of Glee’s principal dancers (2010–11) and part of the Glee Live tour.
  
• Featured in the 82nd Academy Awards opening number.
  
• Finalist on So You Think You Can Dance US (season 5).
  
• Strictly pro for eight series (2013–2020), finalist with HRVY in 2020.
  
• Host of It Takes Two and Strictly Live Tour.

Who has Janette danced with on Strictly?

Year	Celebrity Partner	Position
2013	Julien Macdonald	13th
2014	Jake Wood	5th
2015	Peter Andre	7th
2016	Melvin Odoom	15th
2017	Aston Merrygold	10th
2018	Dr. Ranj Singh	10th
2019	Will Bayley	Withdrew (Week 7)
2020	HRVY	Runner-up (2nd Place)

Has Janette ever won Strictly?

Sadly not – but she reached the 2020 final with pop star HRVY, dazzling viewers with a Jive, American Smooth and Boogie Wonderland showdance.

Where can I watch Janette on TV?

BBC Two – It Takes Two: Wed & Thu evenings (plus alternate Fridays)

BBC Morning Live guest host slots

Who is Janette’s professional dance partner?

Where have you been? It’s Aljaz.

What’s Janette’s favourite dance?

Janette loves both the Rumba and the Quickstep.

When did Janette Manrara join Strictly?

The highly talented Janette hit the Strictly dance floor back in 2013 for the 11th series of the show.

Janette quit Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 following 8 amazing series on the show.

Janette Manrara Fact

Janette Manrara began appearing in Ryan Murphy’s Glee as a principal dancer back in 2010 after she wowed producers thanks to her performance on US dance competition So You Think You Can Dance.

Has Janette ever had a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly?

As if we’d spot a wardrobe malfunction. Have you seen how quickly this pocket rocket moves?

Find out more about Janette’s dancing profile on her official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing

Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing

Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with BBC Studios

Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers

Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here

– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Alexis Warr
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Julian Caillon
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Oti Mabuse

Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges

Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood