The cast of STRICTLY is furious about the return of dancer Aljaž Škorjanec — as it turns out, he left the show without a cloud after a “shocking” fight with a professional.
The Sun can reveal the Slovenian, 34, has agreed to a boozy night out on the 2022 Live Tour following the incident.
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The cast and crew of Strictly Come Dancing are furious about the return of dancer Aljaž Škorjanec Credit: Getty
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Aljaz returned to replace Giovanni Pernice, who resigned amid allegations of abuseCredit: PA
Last night the BBC denied making an official complaint over the incident.
But questions are being raised as to why the beleaguered broadcaster would accept the return of Aljaz to replace Giovanni Pernice, who quit amid his own allegations of abuse.
The BBC should publish the findings of an internal investigation into Giovanni’s case in a few days.
And that after another Italian dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was kicked out of the show for kicking dance partner Zara McDermott.
A source said: “Has the BBC learned anything from the past ten months? In the midst of a continuous uproar over the behavior of his male professionals, they actively recruited a dancer who went under a cloud. Aljaž was advertised as an untroubled returning legend, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Most are relieved to see him back and disgusted that he was given a free pass.
“During a very drunken night on tour two years ago, he got into a very serious, quite shocking altercation with another dancer, which made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
Inside Strictly couple Janetta Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec’s luxurious children’s month in a Slovenian resort
“Many people were aware of the incident and since then it has been widely discussed in the backroom. The executors would have had to live in a cave if they hadn’t heard the rumours. It is baffling to those on the inside how the BBC thought they could get away with this, and many involved in this year’s series are deeply embarrassed by the situation.”
Aljaz spoke of the “difficult decision” to leave the show in March 2022 and pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.
But that came after a period of great unrest backstage.
He was among a group of male professionals, who The Sun is not naming, who basked in their newfound fame and enjoyed wild nights out.
But while others eventually settled down, Aljaz, it is claimed, continued to search the world.
That year, the tour started on January 20 in Birmingham and lasted until February 13 in London’s O2 Arena.
Aljaz announced that he is leaving Strictly on March 28, 2022.
At the time, The Sun reported that Aljaz “verbally attacked” and upset the crew during the series, where he danced with Dragon’s Den star Sarah Davies.
A source told us in March 2022: “The incidents with Aljaz in the last series really upset some teams.
“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.
“Some saw Aljaž as arrogant and pompous, and for some it left a bad taste in the staff’s mouth. He will be missed by many.”
Aljaž’s spokesperson responded: “Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone who works on the show and it is not true to say that he was pushed out or acted aggressively at any time. It was Aljaž’s decision to leave the show after an incredible nine years.”
Aljaž’s return was announced on The One Show on 8 July, with the promo gushing that he had “graced the nation with his classy footwork on Strictly for nine iconic series”.
Aljaž, who is married to Strictly: It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara, said: “I couldn’t be more delighted to be back with the Strictly family.
“This year is so special for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and get back on the dance floor.
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Another Italian dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was axed for hitting his dance partner Zara McDermottCredit: Dan Charity
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Aljaz with dance partner Gemma Atkinson in 2017
“I had an absolute ball during my nine-year stint on Strictly. During my time off I became a parent, which was an exciting challenge in itself, and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again.
“It feels so good to be back. I missed the fun, the glitz and the judges, of course, and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud.”
Others on Strictly don’t feel the same way.
A source told The Sun: “Senior team members who worked with him the first time around are angry that he’s back and it’s causing huge problems. After the incident on the tour, some of the dancers are furious that he has been reappointed and they just don’t want to be around him.”
Aljaz first joined in series 11 and won the Glitterball trophy with model Abbey Clancy.
In 2023, Aljaž admitted that he struggled in his later years on Strictly.
He said: “I went into an early mid-life crisis a year and a half ago and now I don’t know what I want to do with my life. Now I like to talk, so I like to do Q&As, birthdays, invitations — don’t make me dance, but I can talk for a long time.”
His reappointment comes after it was confirmed that Gio had quit amid an investigation into his conduct while he was partnered with actress Amanda Abbington.
Then other stars came forward.
He denies wrongdoing and a report is expected to be released next week.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 will begin on September 14, with a glittering dance show to welcome cancer survivor Amy Dowden and videos showing professional dancers meeting their celebrity partners.
BBC Studios declined to comment when asked about the incident on the Strictly 2022 tour.
A BBC spokesman said they do not admit the allegations against Aljaz and said it was his decision to leave in 2022.
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Aljaz first joined in series 11 and won the Glitterball trophy with model Abbey Clancy in 2013. Credit: BBC
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Slovenian professional with model Daisy Lowe in 2016. Credit: BBC Handout
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Dancer with his last partner Sara Davies in 2021. Credit: PA
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Aljaž admitted to struggling in his later years on StrictlyCredit: Instagram
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