Strictly’s Aljaz accused of verbally lashing out and upsetting crew shortly before he quit
STRICTLY’s Aljaz Skorjanec verbally lashed out and upset members of the BBC show’s crew during the last series – shortly before his exit from the show.
Aljaz, 32, who danced with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davis on the last series of the hit show announced he was leaving Strictly after nine years on Monday.
A source said: “Incidents with Aljaz on the last series of Strictly left some of the crew really upset.
“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.
"Aljaz was seen by some as arrogant and pompous too – and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.”
Aljaz, who is married to former Strictly pro and It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara, said it was a “tough” decision to leave the show in a statement on Monday.
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He added: “The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last nine years.”
His wife Janette, who left the show to co-present It Takes Two last year, also shared a lengthy statement about him leaving.
She wrote: “All good things come to an end, but with every ending comes new beginnings.
“I cannot wait for the exciting adventures life will have for him in the future because I know at the centre of all of his endeavours will be kindness and love for whatever he does.”
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Aljaz first joined Strictly in 2013 and in his first year won the competition with WAG Abbey Clancy.
He has also previously been partnered with stars including Daisy Lowe and Gemma Atkinson.
A spokesperson for Aljaz said: “Aljaz has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time. It was Aljaz’s decision to leave the show after an incredible 9 years.”
Strictly issued a statement about Aljaz's departure on Monday, with Sarah James, Executive Producer of the show saying: “We are so sad to be saying goodbye to Aljaž after almost a decade as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
“Since lifting the glitterball with Abbey Clancy in his debut series he has become a firm favourite with viewers across the country.
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“During his nine series he has provided us with some unforgettable moments on the show through his incredible choreography, passion for dance and heart of gold.
“He will be missed by his Strictly family, both on and off the dancefloor, and we wish him only the very best as he embarks on his next chapter.”
