Aljaž Škorjanec quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on BBC show

ok.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaž Škorjanec has announced his decision to leave the BBC show.Taking to his Instagram account, the 30 year old, who joined the series in 2013, told fans that he'd come to the tough decision to bow out of the hit series.

In an emotional post, Slovenian star Aljaž, who is married to former Strictly professional turned It Takes Two host Janette Manrara, wrote: "On a beautiful sunny day in May 2013 one phone call changed my life forever! "It went like this...

We would like to offer you a position on @bbcstrictly as a professional dancer. A dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23 year old boy from Slovenia. "It didn’t 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.

Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter The popular star, who won the show in 2013 alongside Abbey Clancy, continued: "A 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. "The love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. @jasongilkison, @sarahjamesface, @kimwinston, @jack.will.g are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show - I am forever grateful to them!" Aljaž went on to give a special shout out to his co-stars, describing them as the "best" in the business.