Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara at an awards show (Image: Getty)
previously dated no less than three co-stars during her time on the show.
Besides – the man she achieved lasting love with and went on to have baby daughter Lyra-Rose with last year – she also previously had a fling with Pasha Kovalev. Pasha is now married to Rachel Riley, who was ‘s replacement on Countdown, but at one stage he was reportedly smitten with Janette.
A source suggested in the Mirror that the pair had enjoyed a “brief romance”, and that when things fizzled out, she started seeing Artem Chigvintsev, who won the Glitterball Trophy together with his former star ex Kara Tointon. That too ended, while Kara, who also shares two children with her chiropractor ex Marius Jensen, has since moved on too.
Aljaz didn’t instantly or easily win Janette’s affections, and has often spoken of how his crush on her had at first seemed to be unrequited. Finally, he won her heart – but could one of showbiz’s most loved couples end up succumbing to the Strictly curse?
A source published by the Sunday People seemed to suggest that Aljaz and Janette are in it for the long haul, pointing out that “none of the [past Strictly] relationships went very far or lasted for a long time”. The source added: “Now they are all good friends and can laugh and joke about it.”
:
Aljaz Skorjanec with Janette Manrara during her pregnancy in 2023 (Image: Getty)
They clarified: “Janette is obviously a very attractive woman but she’s very into Aljaz now. They have been together for years and do everything together.”
There’s also their little girl Lyra to help keep them bonded, with besotted dad Aljaz famously taking a step back from his career to be a stay-at-home dad for a period, while Janette revived hers.
Just weeks after giving birth, she was back in the public eye and giving commentary on Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two – all thanks to her husband’s co-parenting support.
Throughout her journey returning to the working world, Aljaz proudly posted photos of himself looking after Lyra, as well as the tot avidly watching her mum on TV.
Don’t miss… [UPDATE]
Aljaz Skorjanec with Abbey Clancy on Strictly in 2013 (Image: BBC)
It wasn’t always easy – last Christmas season, Janette posted a tearful and candid video on her account confessing that train chaos had cruelly separated her from Lyra for hours longer than planned.
However, working as a team has helped them keep their family situation stable, no matter what.
Aljaz has had some gorgeous celebrity partners, ranging from top model in 2013 to Love Island star in 2024, with whom he narrowly missed clinching the Glitterball trophy during a tense final.
Yet he hasn’t strayed – and instead of being jealous of Tasha, tearful Janette revealed that witnessing her husband’s success on-screen with her this year has made her “fall in love with him all over again”.