Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaž Škorjanec shares concern as he returns to BBC series

Strictly Come Dancing star Aljaž Škorjanec has shared his one concern as he makes his return to the show.

The professional dancer is returning for the upcoming series, having taken a break from the show for a few years. He will no doubt be paired with one of the celebrities as he makes his return to the dancefloor after a brief hiatus.

Ahead of the show's return, with the launch show airing next Saturday, Aljaž has admitted his only concern is his celebrity partner - whoeveer he ends up being partnered with. Speaking about how he feels before walking out to perform, he said: "I try to keep things calm, but there are definitely weeks where not everything has been rehearsed or perfected.

"I never worry about how I feel – my focus is always on how my celebrity partner feels. It’s not about me. If I can’t get myself calm, I have no business standing on that Ballroom floor. My only concern is them. The sooner you realise it’s not about you, the easier your job becomes."

Aljaž - who is married to fellow Strictly star Janette Manrara - says his family play a big part in his pre-Strictly prep.

"I probably talk to my family more on a Saturday than at any other time, just to feel as calm as possible and take my mind somewhere else, like back home. Even if it’s just on Zoom, it helps me feel a bit more level-headed about everything. I've noticed that I always give my best performance when I’m tired," he said.

"So if I’m yawning before a show, I know it’s going to be a good night. It used to drive my celebrity partners nuts – they’d ask, ‘How can you be tired and then pull off a great performance?’ I don’t know, but I’ve learned that being in a calm, almost sleepy state helps me stay zen, and it keeps them calm too."

Aljaz described it as a "privilege" to be back on the show and be a part of its big 20th anniversary.

He said: "It’s been a privilege really. This is my 10th year so I’ve done half of them and the show has changed my life. Changed my life for the better. And it gets better every single year. And I think on the 20th anniversary it’s going to be even more special. I was there when Bruce was presenting. It’s a testament to how good it is that it’s been running for 20 years."

Asked what he thinks the future of the show could be, he added: "I can’t wait for the show to start using things like holograms and AI. It’ll be tricky to know what’s real and what’s not, but that might be the next technical step.

"I wouldn’t change much, though, because I think what makes Strictly so successful is that it’s stuck to its original format – watching dances that people love and then learn to love themselves. Let’s be honest, most people watching Strictly haven’t been in a dance class or studio themselves, but even watching it feels the same. That’s why people get more invested each year. So, keep the format exactly the same, but just add even more to the production."