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father cuddling young daughter© Instagram

Aljaž Škorjanec reveals the sweet wish he has for daughter Lyra growing up

The Strictly star shares baby Lyra with wife Janette Manrara

Millie Jackson
Content Managing Editor
December 7, 2024
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Aljaž Škorjanec has shared the adorable wish he has for his little daughter Lyra while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing's semi-final on Saturday night.  

Aljaz was able to take just 24 hours out of his Strictly training schedule to spend time with Lyra© Instagram
Aljaz is a doting dad to little Lyra

Speaking to the audience and detailing why he thought partner Tasha Ghouri should be in the Strictly final, he said she'd proven that with "tenacity, kindness and talent", it's possible to do anything. 

"I wish that my little Lyra grows up a bit like you one day," Aljaž, adding that Tasha made him realise "how much he missed Strictly Come Dancing" after a two-year absence from his role as a professional dancer on the show that began around the time that Lyra was born. 

Tasha's waltz secured a perfect 40© Guy Levy / BBC Pictures
Tasha's waltz secured a perfect 40 in the semi-final

Aljaž and former Strictly professional Janette Manrara welcomed baby Lyra Rose in July last year. 

Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, Janette revealed that she sometimes feels like "she's doing [parenting] on [her] own a little bit" due to Aljaž's "crazy" Strictly schedule. 

Janette vulnerably shared her experience: "I kind of plan ahead and schedule the week without considering him in the picture because his schedule kind of changes daily with Strictly." 

Janette and Aljaz with their baby Lyra© Instagram
Janette and Aljaz make up a lovely family of three

She continued: "So I keep saying to my friends that I feel like I'm a single working mum at the moment for the last three months. But Lyra is such a good baby and she's so content and she travels all right." 

Despite these difficulties, Janette revealed that Aljaž has been committed to supporting her and baby Lyra no matter what. "I don't think I would have been able to do this without him," she admitted. "He's the most supportive husband and the best dad to Lyra." 

Aljaz Skorjanec and his young daughter smiling at each other© Instagram
Aljaz and Lyra were each other's doubles!

She continued: "I mean, he drove… Oh gosh, I get emotional thinking about it. I was having a bit of a rough day on my own because Lyra was kicking off a little bit and I was just exhausted because we're getting to the end of the run and I've been on my own with her for the last three months, and he drove 3.5 hours from being down in London to come up to see her, was here for literally three hours and then drove right back down on the same day… And that is the husband that really cares about his family."  

WATCH: Aljaz Skorjanec helps daughter Lyra take brave steps through a woodland

The couple had three weddings, one in London at the Chelsea town hall with both families present. Their second celebration was a star-studded affair at the Victorian Bath House in Bishopsgate with celebrity guests in attendance including Frankie Bridge, Louise Redknapp, Daisy Lowe and Julien Macdonald, while their fellow professional dancers including Oti Mabuse, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton and Anton du Beke were also all in attendance. 

They then had a romantic outdoor ceremony in Slovenia, and a final reception in Miami. 

Keep up to date with all things Strictly, from the backstage gossip and romance rumours, judges ' verdicts and exclusives

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