Aljaž Škorjanec announces sad news away from Strictly Come Dancing
Professional dancer Aljaz Škorjanec has updated fans with an emotional announcement as his former dance coach has sadly died.
Strictly Come Dancing star Aljaž Škorjanec has announced that his former dance coach has died. The professional dancer took to Instagram to address the sad news and said that he was "forever thankful."
He penned: "Since I was 7 years old Daniela Škofic Novak was a guide and coach for me and my dance partner Valerija for all of our competitive careers.
"I owe ALL my professional success to Daniela and her husband Fredi, who along with my parents, were the people that shaped me as a dancer and as a person. I am forever thankful coach. Rest in Peace."
Many of his 579,000 followers flooded the comments section with words of condolences. One person wrote: "I am so sorry to see your sad news. Sending hug to you. She looked lovely. And will be watching over you."
A second person chimed in: "I’m so sorry! Sending all my love to her family at this difficult time." A third typed: "Sorry to hear the sad news. I am sure she will carry on dancing and watching you from heaven."
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In recent news, Aljaz is waltz-ing back to Strictly Come Dancing, but fans are curious about his previous departure. The star announced his departure after nine years in March 2022, but announced in June that he will be returning.
During his time on Strictly, Aljaz swept celebrities like Abbey Clancey, Alison Hammond, Daisy Lowe, and Gemma Atkinson across the dance floor.
In his 2022 announcement, Aljaz expressed his deep appreciation for the show which brought a whirlwind of change since "a beautiful sunny day in 2013."
Delving into his decision to initially hang up his dancing shoes, the husband of Janette Manrara divulged: "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."
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Preferring discourse over dance steps, Aljaz said: "I love talking now, so I love doing QandAs birthdays, calls - don't make me dance but I can talk for ages," and acknowledged his desire to "focus on other opportunities," that came knocking. Taking to Instagram previously, he let slip that he had earmarked 2021 as his final bow, reports the Mirror.
In a heartfelt statement, he revealed: "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."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in September.
