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Alja\u017e \u0160korjanec is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after almost a decade competing on the show, it has been announced today.<\/p>\n
The Slovenian dancer announced the news on social media, where he took time to thank the several celebrity partners he has had during his nine-year stint, as well as the wider Strictly team and his wife Janette Manrara.<\/p>\n
Back in November 2021, Manrara had taken to Zoe Ball\u2019s breakfast programme on BBC Radio 2 to dispel rumours that \u0160korjanec was leaving<\/a>, saying that he\u2019s \u201ctoo in love with the show\u201d.<\/p>\n However, it now appears that speculation was indeed true, as the Ballroom and Latin dance champ has revealed he made the \u201ctough decision\u201d to leave Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> \u201ca little while ago\u201d.<\/p>\n He is the latest dancer to quit the show, following two-time winner Oti Mabuse, who has secured judging gigs on rival broadcaster ITV\u2019s The Masked Dancer<\/a> and Dancing On Ice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is \u0160korjanec statement in full:<\/p>\n \u201cOn a beautiful sunny day in May 2013 one phone call changed my life forever! It went like this\u2026 we would like to offer you a position on [BBC One\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing] as a professional dancer,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cA dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23 year old boy from Slovenia. It didn\u2019t matter how many beautiful ballrooms I performed in during my competitive career, stepping onto the sacred Strictly floor was the most nervous I had ever been.<\/p>\n \u201cA little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last. 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 9 years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. Louise Rainbow, Sarah James, Kim Winston, Jack Gledhill are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show \u2013 I am forever grateful to them!<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a part of a group of professionals that inspire and push you to be better every step of the way is humbling and I will carry that inspiration with me forever.<\/p>\n After nine fabulous years on the show we are so sad to see Alja\u017e\u00a0\u0160korjanec leave #Strictly<\/a>. Thank you partner for everything \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/ouaWXiaak5<\/a><\/p>\u2014 BBC Strictly \u2728 (@bbcstrictly) March 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>