Strictly’s Janette Manrara credits show with ‘saving’ her relationship to husband Aljaz Skorjanec

They’ve been happily married for four years.

But Janette Manrara says she and Aljaz Skorjanec may have been forced to go their separate ways if Strictly Come Dancing hadn’t offered them permanent contracts.

Speaking to The Sun, Janette, 37, revealed she was ‘going back to Los Angeles’ while Aljaz, 31, was considering a return to his native Slovenia when they were offered their Strictly roles.

Close call: Janette Manrara, 37, and Aljaz Skorjanec, 31, may have been forced to go their separate ways if the ballroom show hadn’t offered them permanent contracts

She explained: ‘Strictly Come Dancing, it saved us. It saved us really, in every way. We were going to try the long-distance thing and see what happened.

‘So when we got that phone call to join Strictly it didn’t only give us stability workwise, it saved our relationship.’

The talented duo tied the knot in 2017 after getting engaged two years prior. They have been permanent members of the Strictly line-up since 2013. 

It comes after she appeared on Loose Women in February and talked about her hopes of having a baby with Aljaz ‘when the time is right’. 

The Strictly admitted to having concerns over losing half their household income while she was pregnant and on maternity leave.

Speaking candidly on the topic, Janette said: ‘To be honest, I’ve always looked forward to becoming a mother.

‘I think what Aljaz and I discovered in the first lockdown is how much we really are a team. When we decide to have children in the future, we will be more than ready.

Family: The Strictly pro said she was waiting for the 'perfect time' to have a baby, but said the Covid-19 crisis made her realise there is never an ideal moment (pictured in August 2019)

Family: The Strictly pro said she was waiting for the ‘perfect time’ to have a baby, but said the Covid-19 crisis made her realise there is never an ideal moment (pictured in August 2019)

‘For anyone considering to become parents, the most important thing is mom and dad have this unity.

‘I think Aljaz will be the most incredible dad and yeah, when the time is right we will be more than ready.’

Sharing how she’d love to return to the show after having a child, Janette went on: ‘Hopefully I can dance to the last second and I can pop right back into dancing.

‘It is a scary choice because for me and Aljaz, we are a team when it comes to everything.

Family: Janette recently revealed that she is going to start a family with her husband Aljaz after ten years of romance (pictured in April 2019)

Family: Janette recently revealed that she is going to start a family with her husband Aljaz after ten years of romance (pictured in April 2019)

‘If I fall pregnant, I would want to spend time with my baby and that’s the scary point, then we lose 50 per cent of the household income coming in because we do it all together, that’s the only bit that’s tricky.

‘Those nine months to a year that we just don’t know what’s going to happen.’

Meanwhile, The Sun revealed on Sunday that Strictly would return to screens for a 13-show run this autumn.

The famous dancing competition’s annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Strictly’s eighteenth season faced major setbacks and was forced to go ahead with strict social distancing protocols in place.

This meant the annual Blackpool trip was scrapped, and the competition only ran for nine episodes.

However, the BBC succeeded in keeping the show on air despite a handful of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the likes of Katya and her celebrity partner, world champion boxer Nicola Adams, 38, testing positive for the virus and leaving the show early.

Popstar HRVY, 22, also tested positive before the show aired, however was able to recover in time to take part.

Last month BBC confirmed the 16 dancers who will hit the dance floor this Autumn, with fan favourites such as Anton Du Beke, Johannes Radebe and Dianne Buswell all back.

Making up the female pros are Oti, Janette Manrara, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu.

While Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones make up the male pros.

Here come the girls! Making up the 2021 female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu  (pictured L-R in 2020)

Here come the girls! Making up the 2021 female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu  (pictured L-R in 2020) 

Sarah James, Executive Producer of BBC Studios said of the news: ‘We are so thrilled to be welcoming back our incredible line-up of professional dancers for 2021.

‘Their passion and dedication for Strictly shone through more than ever last year as they all sacrificed so much to deliver an unforgettable series during unprecedented and challenging times.

‘With so much talent returning to the ballroom, the 2021 series promises more show-stopping choreography, memorable performances and world class dancing.

Pros: Anton Du Beke, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe make up the male pros (pictured L-R in 2020)

Pros: Anton Du Beke, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe make up the male pros (pictured L-R in 2020) 

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