Strictly Come Dancing legend Aljaž Škorjanec will be returning to the show's professional ranks this year.
The exciting news was unveiled on The One Show on Monday (July 8), when Aljaž made a special appearance to confirm he will be back for Strictly's 20th anniversary in a mere eight weeks.
"I'm so thrilled," he said on The One Show. "It's been a little while now since I've known and I couldn't wait to tell everyone [I was going] back."
The pro dancer went on: "I'm probably more excited now than I was when I, first time, started."
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Aljaž promised there will be lots for fans to be excited for as Strictly Come Dancing celebrates this milestone, including even more surprises to come.
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"[Strictly], like we all know, gets bigger and better every single year, especially this year for the anniversary," the pro dancer said. "Twenty years — it's incredible.
"It's such an amazing show and I think it's a part of British culture now. At the end, why we all do it is for everyone at home watching. It makes so many people happy… I think that all of us that do it, do it for that reason."
Strictly executive producer Sarah James said of the pro dancer's return: “We are all so thrilled that Aljaž is back in the Strictly ballroom, bringing his incredible choreography and passion for dance.
"During his nine series, he was a firm favourite with viewers across the country. I’m sure everyone is in for a treat as he joins us to entertain the nation for a very special 20th year of the show.”
The One Show's Alex Jones mentioned on Monday that judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood will all be back — as will pro dancer Amy Dowden after taking last year off to undergo cancer treatment.
Aljaž's wife Janette Manrara, a fellow former pro, remains part of the Strictly family too, as co-host of BBC Two spin-off Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two with Fleur East.
Strictly Come Dancing will return later this year on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
