Aljaž Škorjanec and his wife Janette Manrara departed from their London Hotel on Saturday amid claims cast and crew are ‘furious’ he has returned.
The Slovenian dancer, 34, is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour, according to The Sun.
it was reported that he departed the show after an alleged ‘shocking’ incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour.
Despite the claims, Aljaz seemed in high spirits as he exited his hotel with his wife in tow.
The dancer cut a laidback figure as he sported a black short-sleeved T-shirt and baggy jeans.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaž Škorjanec seemed in high spirits as he departed from his London Hotel on Saturday despite claims cast and crew are ‘furious’ he has returned
His wife Janette Manrara, 40, was in tow and she cut a stylish figure in a black-and-white striped top and beige trousers
He teamed a pair of white trainers with his casual ensemble and was spotted carrying several gift bags and a cup of coffee as he made his way to the Elstree Studios.
Meanwhile, his wife Janette, 40, looked effortlessly chic as she cut a stylish figure in a black-and-white striped top and beige trousers.
Flashing a glimpse of her toned midriff, Janette toted her essentials around in a large weekend bag and slung her coat over her arm as she carried her phone and a cup of coffee.
It comes amid reports that Strictly Come Dancing’s cast and crew are reportedly furious over the return of the professional dancer as it’s claimed he was involved in a backstage row with a female dancer.
The decision to bring back the star to the BBC show has reportedly raised eyebrows, especially given a string of scandals that have beset the show in recent weeks.
A source told the publication: ‘Has the BBC learned nothing from the past ten months?’
‘Amid ongoing furore around the behaviour of its male pros, they actively recruited a dancer who left under a cloud.’
‘Aljaž was touted as an unproblematic, returning legend but that couldn’t be further from the truth.’
The Slovenian dancer is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour (pictured with celebrity partner Sara Davies in 2021)
At the time, Aljaz reportedly agreed to exit the show after an alleged ‘shocking’ incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour
The source claimed the crew and cast were ‘relieved’ to see his departure two years ago and are now ‘aghast’ to see him back on the show.
They revealed he allegedly got ‘very drunk’ on a night out on tour two years ago which led to him being involved in a ‘very serious, pretty shocking altercation’ with a female.
The incident was said to have made the female dancer feel ‘deeply uncomfortable’.
Aljaž’s scene has been reportedly discussed backstage at length since and the decision to bring him back has ‘baffled’ the crew.
‘Execs would have to be living in a cave not to have heard the rumours’, the source added.
According to the publication, the BBC denied an official complaint was made over the incident, and it had been previously stated that Aljaz left on his own accord.
The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline and told The Sun that they did not recognise the claims against Aljaz.
The return of the professional dancer, who is married to fellow Strictly pro Janette, is the latest drama to hit the BBC show, as several allegations of abuse from professionals have come to light.
The scandal erupted when actress Amanda Abbington quit the show last year before claiming that her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her – later leaving the show. Giovanni has vehemently denied the claims.
Amanda, 50, abruptly left the BBC show citing ‘personal issues’ and hasn’t been seen on screen since, even quitting social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner’s sacking.
Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe went underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners.
Sources previously claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show.
Amanda quit Strictly due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.
Meanwhile, Ranvir complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show, while Laura said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while dancing with him in 2016.
Aljaz is married to fellow Strictly pro and It Takes Two host Janette, and sources claim that after his 2022 altercation, the crew are ‘aghast’ bosses have invited him back
The BBC is currently believed to be scouring through nine years of Strictly footage to confirm or deny claims from three celebrities.
Giovanni has not returned for the show’s 2024 season.
Despite the show’s controversial months, Aljaž – who was accused of upsetting show staff with ‘aggressive and pompous behaviour’ in 2022 – is set to return.
Aljaz, who was previously paired with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies, revealed in 2022 that he would be leaving Strictly, with sources adding he was ‘on the fence’ about leaving before deciding to move on to other projects.
A source told The Sun that members of the crew were left ‘really upset’ by ‘incidents’ involving Aljaz during Strictly’s previous series.
They added: ‘He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.’
‘Aljaz was seen by some as arrogant and pompous too – and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.’
However, a representative for Aljaz told the publication: ‘Aljaz has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time.’
‘It was Aljaz’s decision to leave the show after an incredible 9 years.’
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’