Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec have given Gemma Atkinson a special shoutout as they appear to have leaned on her for support and advice as they prepare to welcome their first child.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers announced the joyous news they were expecting back in February with their bundle of joy due this summer. Aljaz and Janette, who has since gone on to host the spin-off of the BBC One show, were just about to start IVF treatment when they found out Janette was pregnant.
"We’re so happy to share our special news!" the pair wrote on Instagram earlier this year alongside a picture from their Hello! magazine shoot confirming their happy news as the congratulatory messages came flooding in.
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The couple have seen been revelling in their journey to parenthood and were even seen dazzling on the red carpet last week at the Pride of Manchester awards held at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
But earlier this month, the loved-up pair enjoyed an "absolutely magical" baby moon in Slovenia where Aljaz was able to surprise his mum for her birthday. And they've taken ITV's Lorraine show on the visit with them.
In the first of two instalments of their film airing on Tuesday (May 16), the dancers share how they are preparing for the arrival of their first baby while documenting their last adventures as a couple, exploring the beautiful scenery of Slovenia.
Spending time with Aljaž’s family who still live in Slovenia, Aljaž takes the time to share never before told childhood memories with Janette and they even visit the dance school he attended while growing up.
In the second episode of the series, which will air on May 23, the couple embarks on a romantic getaway where they share their hopes and wishes for their new family as Janette moves into the third trimester of the pregnancy. Reminiscing on their marriage of twelve years, Janette & Aljaž reveal that ‘they are each other's best friend’ and that ‘conversation and communication’ is their one secret to a happy and healthy relationship that has lasted over a decade.
In an interview about their new TV gig, Janette and Aljaz were asked how they broke their pregnancy news to their families. "We broke the news to our families on Christmas Day, Janette revealed. "It was really exciting because it was the perfect Christmas gift for them.
"We called Aljaž’s family first, as they have a bigger time difference so their Christmas came earlier than the one we were at in Miami with my family, and Facetimed them with the news. Then in the morning when my family woke up, we let them open all the presents, and then we told them right at the end with a little card that we’re having a baby! So it was lovely to share the news with them on such a special day, and their reactions… well there were tears, my Mum dropped to the floor crying!"
Aljaž said: "They were just beside themselves. I couldn’t tell you who gave the best reaction because they were all just full of tears of joy and happiness! It was a beautiful moment and so glad we were able to tell them around Christmas time, because it’s such a special time."
And the parents-to-be haven't been short of support since they announced their special news with Aljaz singling out two of his former Strictly dance partners. Asked how supportive their Strictly family been and isf anyone specific is particularly excited, Janette said: "It’s been really nice to see all of our Strictly Come Dancing family support us throughout this whole process.
"We really are a family on that show, and for Aljaž and I, we were such a big part of it for so long, they really are still our family and it’s been so nice to get all their messages. I went to watch the Pro tour in Manchester and everybody just couldn’t wait to touch the bump, see the bump, hug me and had questions about how I was feeling, and all the pros were so excited.
"It’s just been so lovely!" Aljaz then added: "Gemma Atkinson and Sara Davies especially, but everyone has been amazing!"
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