Aljaž Škorjanec & Janette Manrara Announcement: New 2026 Tour

Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec spent years teaching the nation to dance on Strictly Come Dancing. After taking time away from the sequinned spotlight — first to start a family, then to recover from illness — the Strictly favourites are heading back on the road together. Their newly announced tour, “Let’s Face The Music…and Dance!”, launches in April 2026, giving fans the first opportunity to see the pair perform together since they both stepped away from the BBC show.

Tour Name: Let’s Face The Music…and Dance! · Tour Dates: Spring 2026 · Stars: Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara · Previous Show: Strictly Come Dancing · Venue Example: Winter Gardens Blackpool

The key details about the couple’s return to touring are consolidated in the table below.

Why did Janette leave Strictly?

Janette Manrara left Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 to focus on starting a family with her husband, Aljaž Škorjanec. The Spanish-born dancer had been a professional on the BBC show since 2013, but explained that the time had come to prioritise her personal life over her television career. She became the first professional dancer to depart the show to have a baby, marking a significant shift in the long-running format’s tradition of keeping its dance professionals for as long as possible.

Real reason shared by Janette Manrara

Manrara has been open about her desire to become a mother, describing the decision as one of the most important she has ever made. In interviews she has spoken about the difficulty of balancing the gruelling Strictly schedule with her ambitions to start a family. The timing of her departure came after the couple revealed they were trying for a baby, with Manrara later sharing that the journey had been more complicated than initially expected.

Why did Aljaž Škorjanec leave Strictly?

Aljaž Škorjanec followed his wife off the Strictly dance floor in 2023, stepping away from the BBC programme to focus on fatherhood. The Slovenian-born professional had been a fixture on the show since 2013, earning a devoted fanbase for his energetic routines and infectious personality. His departure marked the first time the couple had both left the show simultaneously, signalling a new chapter in their lives away from competitive dance.

Break to become a dad

Škorjanec announced his decision to take a break from Strictly in late 2022, citing his desire to start a family as the primary reason. He made clear that he was not retiring from dancing entirely, merely stepping back from the television spotlight to be present for the birth and early months of his child’s life. BBC coverage confirmed that Škorjanec’s break was specifically to become a father, with the door left open for potential future returns to the show.

Has Janette Manrara been ill?

Janette Manrara has addressed periods of poor health since becoming a mother, sharing candid updates with her followers on social media. The former Strictly professional has spoken about the physical and emotional challenges of recovering from illness while caring for a young family. Her transparency about health struggles has resonated with fans who appreciate her honesty about the less glamorous aspects of life after television fame.

Recovery update issued

Manrara posted several recovery updates across her public channels, describing being “struck down” by illness and documenting her gradual return to full health. She acknowledged that the combination of touring, new motherhood, and health setbacks had taken a toll on her energy levels. The updates served both as a personal record of her recovery and as a message of solidarity to other parents facing similar challenges.

Did Janette Manrara have IVF?

The couple have been relatively private about the specifics of their fertility journey, though Manrara has hinted at complications when trying to expand their family beyond their first child. The dancer has indicated that getting pregnant proved more difficult than anticipated, suggesting medical intervention may have been involved without detailing the exact nature of any treatment. Their openness about the challenges of conception has connected with followers experiencing similar difficulties.

Pregnancy complications

Manrara has acknowledged that the path to growing their family has involved complications, though she has not publicly confirmed whether IVF specifically was used. In social media posts she has described the emotional weight of struggling to conceive while managing her professional commitments. Fans have speculated about the couple’s plans for a second child, but no official announcement about pregnancy or fertility treatment has been made.

What is the Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara announcement?

The couple announced a brand new 16-date theatre tour for spring 2026 titled “Let’s Face The Music…and Dance!” — their first joint touring production since both departed Strictly Come Dancing. The tour, confirmed by BroadwayWorld UK, will see the Strictly stars perform at venues across the United Kingdom including The York Barbican, Edinburgh Usher Hall, the London Palladium, and Sheffield City Hall. The tour opens on 18 April 2026 at The York Barbican and runs through to 6 May 2026.

Brand new tour details

“Let’s Face The Music…and Dance!” celebrates the composers, songwriters, and record producers whose behind-the-scenes work has shaped generations of popular music. The production features music from legends including David Foster, Quincy Jones, George Gershwin, and Hans Zimmer. Live accompaniment comes from boogie woogie piano star Tom Seals and his Big Band, who previously performed with Aljaž and Janette on their sell-out 2025 tour “A Night To Remember”.

Let’s Face The Music…and Dance!

Ticket pre-sales opened at 10:00am on Wednesday 5 November 2025, with general sales following at 10:00am on Friday 7 November 2025. The Canterbury Marlowe Theatre has added an additional matinee performance on 29 April 2026 due to demand. Tickets are available through all venue box offices, Ticketmaster, and the official tour website at letsfacethemusicanddance.com. The full venue lineup spans 16 theatres across England, Scotland, and Wales, giving the couple their most extensive touring schedule to date.

Related reading: Strictly Come Dancing Tonight Live · Avatar 3 Release Date

Following their 2023 pregnancy reveal, Strictly stars Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara reunite after family life for their ‘Let’s Face The Music…and Dance!’ 2026 tour.

Frequently asked questions