Strictly Come Dancing star Aljaž Škorjanec has shared his surprising career plans after quitting the show. There was devastation among fans of the BBC One dance competition in March when he became the second professional dancer to announce he was leaving before the 2022 series.
The 32-year-old, who is married to former Strictly pro and It Takes Two host Jannette Marara, shared the news via a statement on Instagram alongside a collage of pictures from his time on the show, including lifting the Glitterball Trophy with model Abbey Clancy during his first series.
Aljaž said he made the "tough" decision that Strictly 2021 would be his last "a little while ago" after nine years of competing with celebrities on the hit programme.
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While he didn't share what was next at the time, t he Slovenian dancer and choreographer has now revealed that he has been having acting lessons and auditioning for roles "trying to get his foot in the door" of Hollywood.
Aljaž told Hello magazine: "Being a couple on Strictly gave us an edge and I feel like it can be exactly the same when it comes to, potentially, one day being on a different kind of TV programme together. I’ve had an incredible nine years on Strictly and have felt so lucky to be there, but it felt like the right time to take a risk and open myself up to new challenges.
"I want to try other things like film, TV and radio while I’m still young enough and my body is 100% capable. I’m just a fan of the craft and am trying to get my foot in the door. Do I want to go to Hollywood? Of course! If I didn’t dream big I would never have ended up on Strictly."
Jannette, 38, backed her husband's plans, adding: "I already imagine him as a Hollywood leading man, he definitely has what it takes and he has always been my Prince Charming."
As already mentioned Aljaž clinched the top Strictly prize with Liverpudlian model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy during the first all-female final on the show. Then in 2017, he reached the final with partner Gemma Atkinson but the pair missed out to eventual winners Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
Speaking about his decision to leave the show, Aljaž said: "Janette and I were a team and helped choreograph each other’s routines and every time I needed a shoulder or a hug she was there. But last year was different because, for the first time ever, I felt like I was doing Strictly on my own."
Janette added: "The day he made the announcement we were literally holding hands with tears in our eyes because it was a bittersweet feeling. We always say it was never a Strictly curse for us, it was always a blessing and the best thing for us – in our marriage, in our careers and everything."
The couple also said they would like to present a TV show together, inspired by husband and wife duo Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
