Meet your cover stars
Christmas came early for former Strictly pros Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec when their longed-for daughter, Lyra, arrived this year. Here, they share why becoming parents has been the best gift ever
When former Strictly legends Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec discovered they were going to become a family of three last December, it was a moment of sheer joy – and surprise. Following a two-year struggle, the pair were about to start IVF when they received the news they’d longed for.
Their daughter, Lyra, was born in July, and Aljaž, who left Strictly last year, is now on full-time daddy duties while Janette hosts Strictly’s sister show, It Takes Two, and presents on BBC One’s Morning Live.
The couple are also about to go on tour with their new festive dance show, Aljaž And Janette Dancing In A Winter Wonderland. Slovenian Aljaž, 33, and Janette, 39, who grew up in Miami in a Cuban family, have recently moved to Cheshire to start their family life in the countryside and are looking forward to their first festive season as parents.
OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT
Last Christmas was really memorable for you as you’d just discovered you were having a baby. Could this year be even more special?
A: We alternate each year between Miami and Slovenia, and last Christmas in Miami we were thrilled to deliver the news that we were expecting Lyra. This year, it’s Slovenia’s turn. It’s going to be extra special. Lyra won’t remember it, but the rest of us definitely will!
J: Last year, we FaceTimed Aljaž’s family first on
Christmas morning because they’re ahead in time zones. We said, ‘We’ve got a big Christmas present for you,’ and Aljaž spoke in Slovenian, so I don’t really know what he said… but I saw their reactions!
A: My nieces loved it – they love babies – and everyone else was crying. They were like, ‘What’s going on, why is everyone so sad?’
J: Then we gave my family a card. I think they thought I was going to take them to Disneyland, but instead it said, ‘Dear Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle, Merry Christmas from the newest member of the family.’ And there was the scan picture. Mum was crying, Dad was crying, we were all crying. It’s nice that we got to share the news in per
