Updated 16th February 2021
Strictly Finalist 2020 – Janette Manrara and Strictly Champion Aljaz Skorjanec are professional dancers on BBC Strictly Come Dancing and previously danced together in sensational West End show ‘Burn the Floor’.
The 2020 series of Strictly saw Aljaz partnered with BBC Radio One DJ Clara Amfo
Sadly Aljaz & Clara became the 6th couple to leave the competition. Last year Aljaz partnered Viscountess Emma Weymouth, unfortunately Emma & Aljaz’s Samba to ‘I Don’t Care’ by Ed Sheeran got them knocked out of the competition in week 7.
Aljaz Skorjanec
Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2013
The 2020 series saw Janette partner popstar HRVY (Harvey Leigh Cantwell).
In 2020 Janette made it all the way to the Strictly finals, Janettes first time in the final since she became a pro dancer on the show in 2013. Together Janette & HRVY performed some dazzling routines including their Jive, American Smooth plus stunning showdance to Boogie Wonderland.
In 2019 Janette was partnered with gold-medal-winning Paralympian, Will Bayley. The pair stole the show with their amazing footwork, energy and commtiment – a truly terrific partnership.
Sadly due to injury Will had to leave the competition early in week 7. Will & Janette left such an inspiriational legacy behind with their amazing Couple’s Choice Contemporary to ‘7 Years’ by Lukas Graham.
Learn all about Aljaz & Janette’s amazing dancing career, view photos & videos plus read all their latest news below
Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort.
Join Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, Giovanni Pernice, Karen Hauer, Ian Waite, Kai Widdrington, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Strictly’s Argentine Tango choreographers Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani.
‘What an amazing weekend! Thank you so much for inviting us, we are so happy to be part of your beautiful event. A clear 10 from me!’ Aljaz Skorjanec
‘What a FAB-U-LOUS event to attend. A real feel good weekend, cannot wait to be back’ Janette Manrara
30 years old (born 19th February 1990)
Ptuj, Slovenia
What do you think? Aljaz proposed to Janette in August 2015 and they married in July 2017. Not content with just one celebration, the couple had three and celebrated with family and friends in London, Miami and Slovenia.
This cheeky chappy starting dancing at the age of five and is a 19-time Slovenian champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten dance. He’s also successfully represented Slovenia in world Latin and Ballroom Dance championships, appeared in Slovenia’s version of Strictly and was one of the lead dancers in the West End show, ‘Burn the Floor’, in 2013.
His wife, Janette Manrara.
Aljaz loves both the Paso Doble and the Foxtrot.
We first got a glimpse of that oh so cheeky smile five years ago when Aljaz hit our screens back in 2013.
Radio One DJ, Clara Amfo
On joining Strictly, Clara said: “As we know this year has been a real challenge and escapism through dancing is something I know we all enjoy, so to be taught by a pro and live a fantasy is something that I can’t wait to fully embrace, see you on the dancefloor!”
Abbey Clancy, Alison Hammond, Helen George, Daisy Lowe, Gemma Atkinson, Kate Silverton and Emma Weymouth
Of course he has! Have you seen those snake hips? Aljaz won his debut series back in 2013 when he partnered Abbey Clancy and they were fondly known as the ‘A-Team’.
Yes, he lost a faux ear whilst performing a Charleston with Gemma Atkinson to The Jungle Book’s Bear Necessities during Movie Week in 2017.
Find out more about Aljaz’s dancing profile on his official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
37 years old (born 16th November 1983)
Miami, Florida
I’m afraid she’s already hitched. Aljaz proposed to her in August 2015 and they married in July 2017. The couple celebrated in style with three celebrations in London, Miami and Slovenia.
Janette has studied Ballroom, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Salsa and Hip Hop and was also a principal dancer on Fox’s hit series ‘Glee’, as well as the ‘Glee Live Tour’. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also worked on the ‘82nd Annual Academy Awards’, starred in hit US series ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and danced with Jennifer Lopez in the season six finale. And as we’ve already mentioned, she was also one of the lead dancers in the West End show, ‘Burn the Floor’ with hubby, Aljaz.
Where have you been? It’s Aljaz.
Janette loves both the Rumba and the Quickstep.
The highly talented Janette hit the Strictly dance floor back in 2013 for the 11th series of show.
Popstar HRVY (Harvey Leigh Cantwell)
On joining Strictly, HRVY said: “Being on Strictly is going to be such an amazing experience and I’m so thankful to be taking part this year. I think my mum is more excited that she’ll be able to see me every Saturday night now.”
HRVY, Julien Macdonald, Jake Wood, Peter Andre, Melvin Odoom, Aston Merrygold and Will Bayley.
No not yet, but it’s definitely on the cards. In 2020 Janette made it to the finals with HRVY, 2017’s pairing with Aston Merrygold and their exceptional dancing had them tipped as finalists, but they were shown the door in week 7.
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.
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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 the BBC.
Find out all about Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara’s 2021 show-stopping tour ‘Remembering The Oscars’
www.rememberingtheoscars.com/
See Aljaz Skorjanec in ‘Here Come The Boys’ 2021 tour
herecometheboysshow.com/
See Janette Manrara in ‘Strictly Presents: The Power of Dance’ 2021 tour. A brand-new show from the Strictly Come Dancing family touring the UK – Featuring the spectacular professional dancers Janette Manrara, Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden and Neil Jones.
strictlycomedancinglive.com/2020/10/three-is-the-magic-number-as-strictly-announces-new-tours-for-2021-2022/
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Anton du Beke
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Karen Clifton
– Katya Jones
– Kevin Clifton
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Oti Mabuse
– Pasha Kovalov