BREAKING NEWS: Strictly pro Aljaz Škorjanec dealt major blow moments into new series
The Strictly Come Dancing professional learned his celebrity partner this weekend.
The Strictly pro was dealt a huge blow (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing pro Aljaz Škorjanec has been dealt a major blow just moments into the new series, according to BBC viewers. The 36-year-old dancer returned for another series of the dance competition after numerous pros were axed – including Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk.
Tonight (September 19), Aljaz discovered his celebrity partner for the 2026 series will be Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters. The show introduced a new format for the pairings, with each celebrity dancing with each pro in a ‘musical chairs’ style game and switching until the music stopped.
But with Melanie just 12/1 to win – and the oldest female celebrity appearing on the show – fans reckoned Aljaz had been dealt a major blow, and compared him to now judge Anton Du Beke when he was still dancing.
Anton became known as the dancer given the older stars to partner with, dancing with Lesley Joseph, Ann Widdecombe and Susanna Constantine over the years and often placing low down on the leaderboard.
One fan theorised on Reddit: “Do we think Aljaz is the new Anton in terms of partners?”
Aljaz is paired up with Melanie Walters (Image: BBC)
Another agreed: “It’s sad because I quite like him. But yeah he’s not going to make it far this year.”
“Poor Aljaz!” somebody else tweeted.
However, others were full of support for Melanie, with one branding her “mother” on X and somebody else declaring: “I’m team Melanie!”
