There are Strictly announcements… and then there are moments that feel like they belong to everyone.
Today was one of those moments.
Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara — one of the show’s most cherished real-life love stories — have confirmed they are expecting their second child, and the way they shared the news has left fans across the country misty-eyed.
After months of gentle speculation — a lingering hand, a quiet smile, a carefully chosen caption — the couple finally revealed the truth in a way that felt deeply personal, tender, and unmistakably them.
A Reveal Rooted in Real Life, Not Headlines
There were no studio lights. No red carpets. No dramatic announcement.
Instead, the reveal unfolded at home.
A slow dance in their living room.
Soft piano music in the background.
Little Lyra toddling between her parents.
Then, just for a moment, an ultrasound image appeared on screen.
“Our family is growing,” the caption read, “and so is our dream.”
Within minutes, the video spread across social media, watched millions of times as fans laughed, cried, and shared messages of joy.
“This Time, We’re Allowing Ourselves to Pause”
In a rare and heartfelt reflection, Janette explained why this pregnancy feels different from the first.
“Lyra’s first year was magical — but overwhelming,” she shared. “We were filming, travelling, exhausted, and trying so hard to be present. This baby feels like permission to slow down.”
Aljaž echoed the sentiment with quiet honesty.
“People see the dancing and the glamour,” he said, “but real life happens at home — in messy kitchens and tired hugs. That’s the real choreography.”
The couple confirmed their second child is due in early 2026, just as Lyra approaches her second birthday.
Growing a Family — and a New Dream
Alongside their baby news, Aljaž and Janette also revealed their next shared venture: a global online platform called Dance Without Limits, launching next year.
The project will offer live ballroom classes, family dance challenges, personal coaching, and virtual workshops for all ages.
“Our dream isn’t just to perform,” Janette explained. “It’s to help people find joy in movement — wherever they are.”
A Love Story Britain Has Grown With
From meeting on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 to becoming dance partners, husband and wife, and parents, Aljaž and Janette’s journey has unfolded in front of the nation.
Fans have followed them through IVF struggles, heartbreak, hope, and the miracle birth of Lyra — a moment many still describe as unforgettable.
Now, baby number two feels like the next chapter in a story Britain has emotionally invested in for more than a decade.
The Strictly Family Shares the Joy
Messages of love poured in within hours.
Tess Daly called the couple “pure magic.”
Craig Revel Horwood declared the news “FAB-U-LOUS.”
Claudia Winkleman summed it up simply: “I cried.”
Still Dancing — Just to a New Rhythm
Aljaž and Janette are quick to reassure fans they’re not stepping away from Strictly — just embracing a different pace of life.
“We’re not leaving,” Aljaž smiled. “We’re just learning a new routine. One that starts at home.”
A growing family.
A new creative chapter.
A love story still unfolding.
Because sometimes the most beautiful dances don’t happen under ballroom lights — they happen quietly, at home, where dreams keep growing long after the music fades. 💛✨
