My daughter and Janette are my favourite dance partners

TV favourite Aljaž Škorjanec chats to MARION MCMULLEN about juggling family life and his Strictly comeback

- MARION MCMULLEN

What was it like returning to Strictly Come Dancing after a two-year break?

It was surreal. I never thought I would stand on the dance floor again as a professional. When they first contacted me I thought 'what?' I was besides myself and partnering with (Love Islander) Tasha Ghouri was a dream come true. It was a joy to connect with someone so talented and capable. I’m so immensely proud of every dance we did, especially the ballroom dances, they were out of this world.

When I left Strictly I wanted to be a hands-on dad and be with the little one. When the BBC contacted me, I sat down with my wife Janette (Manrara) to see how we could make it work and it was so lovely to see our little one on a Saturday night pointing at the telly and shouting 'Daddy'.

You returned in time for the show's 20th anniversary. What was it like working with Sir Bruce Forsyth in the early days?

I was lucky enough that Abbey Clancy and myself were the last people he presented the Glitterball trophy to in 2013 before he left. I think he might have done one more Christmas special, but we were there for his last series.

Your daughter Lyra Rose is now nearly two. Is she your favourite dance partner?