ALJAŽ Škorjanec has broken his silence on a ‘shocking’ outburst that occurred on the Strictly Come Dancing tour in 2022.
The Sun previously revealed how the dancer – who has returned to this year’s show – agreed to leave under a cloud over the incident.
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But now Aljaž has finally addressed the incident – insisting he was not abusive backstage.
Speaking to the Daily Star, the 34-year-old said: “It’s difficult to read. Of course it’s hurtful. It’s a bit out of my control.
“All I can do is have my chin up and move forward. That’s the best thing to do.”
At the time of his departure from Strictly, the Slovenian hunk said he was quitting to pursue an acting career.
Aljaž added: “Strictly changed my life when I was in my early 20s. It gave me a chance to show my passion and love to dance. It is such an honour. I’ve always seen it that way.
“It just humbles you. All I’ve ever tried to do is my absolute best. “All I’ve ever tried to do is my absolute best and contribute to Strictly in the best and the kindest possible way.”
During the incident he had been among a group of male pros, who The Sun is not naming, basking in their new fame and enjoying wild nights out.
But while others settled down as time passed, it is claimed Aljaz continued to seek out the high life.
That year, the tour began on January 20 in Birmingham and ran until February 13 at London’s O2 Arena.
A source previously told us: “During a very drunken night out on the tour two years ago, he got into a very serious, pretty shocking altercation with another female dancer, and made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
“Many people were aware of the incident and it has been widely discussed backstage since. Execs would have to be living in a cave not to have heard the rumours.
“It’s baffling to those on the inside how the BBC thought they could get away with this, and a lot of people involved with this year’s series are deeply uncomfortable with the situation.”
BBC Studios previously declined to comment when asked about the incident on the 2022 Strictly tour.
A BBC spokesperson also said they did not recognise the claims against Aljaz and said it was his decision to leave in 2022.
Strictly Curse – The Lowdown
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s latest series has already been hit by rumours of a BBC show ‘curse’ – yet what is it?
A host of Strictly Come Dancing stars have been struck by the Strictly Curse during the past two decades.
This is where celebrities who may or may not be attached in the outside world become more than friends with their professional partners.
A total of 20 relationships are said to have been impacted so far over the show’s 20 years.
It has seen relationships crumble with dance floor romances and punishing rehearsal schedules to blame.
This includes the partnerships of Louise and Jamie Redknapp as well as Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer.
Controversially, Judge Craig Revel Horwood once said of the curse: “I think of it as a blessing, to be honest. One person is married, the other one had a girlfriend but my point in this entire thing is: if you come on Strictly, sometimes you are in a relationship that is not working anyway.
“There has to be something wrong in your relationship before it all goes awry.”
Series one winner Brendan Cole left his fiancé, fellow Strictly professional Camilla Dallerup, during filming for the very first series in spring 2004.
Brendan was said to have fallen for his celebrity partner and inaugural winner Natasha Kaplinsky, although the duo didn’t confirm they were romantically involved.
