Janette Manrara admits parenting has been ‘difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them’ – as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

As I delve into the captivating world of Aljaž Škorjanec, a dancer whose moves and charm have left audiences spellbound, I can’t help but admire his resilience and determination. His journey on Strictly Come Dancing, a show that has become a staple in British television culture, is nothing short of inspiring.


Janette Manrara openly confessed that the first year of motherhood has been quite challenging for her, as she and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec find themselves without any assistance. She shares insights into this stage of their lives.

The renowned figure from Strictly Come Dancing spoke candidly to OK! Magazine concerning the hurdles that the couple have encountered as new parents, which will become even tougher as Aljaž, aged 34, resumes his role at the BBC program after a two-year absence.

As a devoted adherent, I openly admit that the journey is challenging. Alas, we find ourselves without assistance, which makes forward-thinking an essential aspect of our endeavor. It’s like balancing multiple spinning plates at once – quite a formidable task indeed.

Currently, Aljaž and I are pondering over the best approach as he resumes his full-time role in Strictly Come Dancing.

The participant, who delivered a child in July of the previous year, also shared that during her debut season on Strictly (in 2013), when Aljaž was away for the live tour, she felt incredibly isolated and found it particularly challenging to maneuver through the experience.

Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

Given that Janette’s family resides in Miami and Aljaz’s is in Slovenia, they find it challenging to coordinate childcare, as a result, they must carefully plan each moment ahead for the upcoming months.

Today, the family appeared quite upbeat and handled the challenge with ease as they checked into their London hotel after a full day of rehearsals for Aljaž.

The couple exhibited affectionate behavior, walking hand-in-hand as Janette steered the stroller and Aljaž tenderly held their 13-month-old daughter, Lyra.

In a recent conversation, I shared that my spouse, whom I married in 2017, is more than just the one I adore; he’s my confidant, accomplice, soul mate, and dearest friend.

Overflowing with affection, she expressed how witnessing him as the father of their daughter renewed her feelings for him.

When Aljaž returned to Strictly this year for its 20th anniversary as a dance competition, he expressed his wish to have a baby, Lyra, after taking a two-year break from the program.

On The One Show last month, he mentioned how much he enjoyed taking care of his lovely wife and newborn child for the past two years. However, he also expressed that he had missed everything about Strictly Come Dancing.

“I am absolutely thrilled to rejoin the Strictly family! This year promises to be extraordinary for this iconic show, and I’m eagerly looking forward to being involved and stepping back onto the dance floor.”

Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals
Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals
Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

Stepping into my role as a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m thrilled to share that the legendary show Strictly Celebrates an extraordinary 20 years! Get ready for a dazzling season filled with even more opulence, enchantment, and unparalleled dance performances that will leave you spellbound.

In his initial year on the program (in 2013), Aljaž and his famous dance partner Abbey Clancy lifted the Glitterball trophy. In 2017, he ended up as the first runner-up, partnered with Gemma Atkinson.

He added in a statement: ‘I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.

As a devoted enthusiast, I spent nine exhilarating years dancing on Strictly, and while I was away from the show, I embarked on an extraordinary journey as a parent. This new role has been a captivating adventure all its own. Now, with renewed energy, I’m eager to immerse myself in the enchanting world of Strictly once more.

“I’m overjoyed to return! I’ve truly missed the excitement, sparkle, and yes, even the judges. My wish is to make my daughter Lyra as proud as she makes me.”

This year, Janette openly shared about the emotional struggles she faced when she couldn’t cradle her newborn daughter immediately following her challenging C-section.

After the birth, Janette confessed that she felt quite low, having a tough time recovering.

As a devoted admirer pouring my feelings into words, I can’t help but share this personal experience on their podcast: ‘Recovering from a C-section proved to be quite the challenge. The inability to carry Lyra as much as I yearned was emotionally taxing for me. It was tough.’

Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals
Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals
Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

It’s strange because you’ve nurtured a child inside you for nine months, creating a strong bond. However, once she’s delivered, you find yourself managing stitches and dealing with the aftermath of medications in your system at the hospital.

Janette added: ‘I descended fully. Then I found myself thinking, ‘How could I not cradle my newborn now? After all I’ve accomplished, I can’t even hold her.’ That moment was quite challenging for me.’

In a Loose Women appearance during December 2023, Janette shared her experiences leading up to Lyra’s birth, expressing gratitude that natural conception was possible instead of resorting to IVF.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some insights from my personal journey. At the age of 39, I discovered that conception isn’t always as straightforward as one might assume. Just because you’ve stopped using birth control doesn’t necessarily mean pregnancy will occur immediately. It’s crucial to remember this and approach the process with patience and understanding.

As a devoted follower, I can’t help but express my heartfelt relief that we weren’t required to undergo IVF. Our little one arrived in a way that felt like a dream come true, akin to celebrating a special birthday. We started the day with medication and ended it with dance, all leading up to the momentous occasion. She was born to the song we had chosen, making it an unforgettable experience.

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2024-09-03 13:40

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