Dancer Aljaž Škorjanec has revealed why he took a two-year break from Strictly Come Dancing amid allegations he left following an altercation with a female professional.
Škorjanec joined Strictly as a professional dancer in 2013, before taking a break starting in 2022.
In July it was announced he would be returning to the 2024 series of Strictly.
On Friday (September 6), The Sun reported the Slovenian dancer agreed to leave the show in 2022 after an incident with another dancer.
In response to the allegations, Škorjanec's representative said it was "untrue to say or suggest he was forced out or that he acted in an aggressive manner at any time".
They added: "Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone he works with. He chose to leave the show in 2022 of his own accord but he has always loved Strictly and was delighted to be asked back.
"He is excited to make his return to the dancefloor this year."
Aljaž Škorjanec reveals why he took two-year break from Strictly
In an interview with BBC News, before the allegations were published in The Sun, Škorjanec shared that he took the break “to be a great dad and a great husband”.
The 34-year-old is married to fellow professional dancer Janette Manrara, who also presents the Strictly companion programme It Takes Two.
Škorjanec revealed they were “desperate to become parents”.
He added: “It was always something that we both really, really wanted.
“I asked myself, I actually feel like I have a choice here. I wanted to be a hands-on husband to a pregnant wife. I wanted to be a hands-on dad, to a little baby.
“So it was a no-brainer really. I really wanted to be there.”
The couple's daughter Lyra was born last year, and Škorjanec said that he felt "so lucky" that he had been able to spend time with her.
"It’s the bonding time I could never get back," he said.
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He added that it had "worked out perfectly" because he is now going back to the show.
"After two years of doing that, I get to go back on Strictly and do something I love so much and I’m very, very fortunate and I’m very lucky that it worked out that way."
Škorjanec is now gearing up for the new season of Strictly, which starts later in September.
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