Aljaž Škorjanec is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 9 years as knowledgeable on the present.
The star made the announcement at the moment and mentioned he made the choice "a while in the past",
The star, who competed with Dragon's Den's Sara Davies final 12 months, paid tribute to his previous movie star companions, the Strictly crew and his fellow dancers.
Slovenian-born Aljaž additionally mentioned he was very emotional to stroll away after nearly a decade.
A 19 instances ballroom champion, he was a favorite amongst viewers, and beforehand received the present with mannequin Abbey Clancy in 2013.
He additionally reached the ultimate with Gemma Atkinson in 2017.
As he shared the information of his departure to followers on social media, Aljaž gave a particular shout out to spouse Janette Manrara, who left the present in 2021 and has been carving out a brand new profession as a TV host on the BBC.
"We have been relationship after we began collectively on the present and now we're husband and spouse," he mentioned of Janette, who fronts Strictly spin-off present It Takes Two.
Aljaž'S determination comes simply two months after one other of the present's hottest stars, Oti Mabuse, introduced she was leaving.
In an announcement launched at the moment explaining his determination, Aljaž mentioned: “On a gorgeous sunny day in Might 2013 one telephone name modified my life ceaselessly!
"It went like this... we want to give you a place on @bbcstrictly as knowledgeable dancer. A dream grew to become a actuality and it was the most important alternative for a 23 12 months outdated boy from Slovenia. It didn’t matter what number of lovely ballrooms I carried out in throughout my aggressive profession, stepping onto the sacred Strictly flooring was essentially the most nervous I had ever been.
"A short while in the past I made the robust determination that Strictly 2021 can be my final. The present has given me a chance and freedom to create and specific myself in entrance of tens of millions of individuals each weekend for the final 9 years. The love and assist I obtained from the workforce of producers was second to none. Louise Rainbow, Sarah James, Kim Winston, Jack Gledhill are just some of the unsung heroes behind the success of the present - I'm ceaselessly grateful to them!
"Being part of a gaggle of pros that encourage and push you to be higher each step of the way in which is humbling and I'll carry that inspiration with me ceaselessly. Yearly the lineup of dancers would change however one factor stayed the identical, WE WERE THE BEST! And that is one factor that I do know won't ever change on Strictly!
"Strictly additionally has the BEST backstage workforce - the hair and make-up workforce, costume division, lighting, sound, props and particular results, digital camera operators… THANK YOU!
"My lovely companions - Abbey Clancy, Alison Hammond, Helen George, Daisy Lowe, Kate Silverton, Gemma Atkinson, Emma Weymouth, Clara Amfo and Sara Davies.
"It is onerous to place into phrases what number of lovely reminiscences we have now had. I LOVE YOU ALL!
"To my bucka.. from choosing songs, creating tales and choreographing steps we at all times did it as a workforce. Your expertise and selflessness is aware of no bounds. We have been relationship after we began collectively on the present and now we're husband and spouse. We obtained to carry out with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, BBC Symphony Orchestra.. moments I'll maintain in my coronary heart ceaselessly. I LOVE YOU!
"And at last, thank YOU, the people who watch Strictly who've been so type to me all these years. Each remark, vote, type message by no means went unnoticed. You're the purpose all of us do it, thanks!”
Aljaž ended his message by teasing his plans for the longer term.
"I've numerous thrilling stuff deliberate that I'll fill you in on quickly. I can not wait to see what the longer term holds!
"KEEEEEP DANCING!”
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