Strictly Come Dancing couple announce exciting baby news 👶
Just as they were starting to plan IVF treatment
Massive congratulations are in order for Strictly Come Dancing professionals Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec, as the married couple have announced they are expecting their first child together!
The couple, who got married in 2017, announced their exciting news during a chat with HELLO!, revealing they've been trying to conceive for a while.
Candidly opening up about their journey to becoming parents, the couple admitted they were planning on starting IVF treatment, but Janette then took a positive pregnancy test in December.
Janette quit her role as a professional dancer on hit BBC show Strictly a number of years back, going on to host spin-off show It Takes Two, in order to try for a baby with her husband.
Speaking about her struggles to conceive, 39-year-old Janette told the publication: "For the past couple of years we hadn’t been using protection but nothing was happening, so we thought IVF was the next best thing for us to do.
"I turn 40 later this year and the NHS offers really good services to women under 40. The doctor said that as soon as I got my period we would start injections, but my period never came.
"I know that IVF can be really strenuous on a woman’s body and there is no guarantee it will work, so to know that this little miracle just came from a wonderful night we had together is amazing. I think the baby decided to make Mum and Dad panic a bit before saying, ‘ok, fine, I’m coming up now.'"
Speaking about his delight at the news, Aljaž said: "I was beside myself. I feel like I've been thinking and dreaming about that moment for so long. We were preparing for IVF mentally and physically and then it was just a relief to finally have that positive test. I have so much respect for any parent that goes through IVF, not just for what it puts them through physically but mentally too."
See which other famous faces are expecting babies in the coming months:
Jake and Sophie Quickenden
Reality TV star Jake Quickenden and his wife Sophie announced they are expecting their second child together in July. Taking to Instagram to share their lovely news, Jake wrote: 'WE HAVE NEWS…. soon to be five. We can finally let you know after a long time trying we are gonna bring another bundle of joy into the world 🌍 We are super excited. Can't wait to live off 2 hours sleep again 😂. Have a lovely Sunday ❤️'.
The couple, who got married in 2022, are already parents to three-year-old so Leo. as well as Sophie's son Freddie from a previous relationship.
Laura Woods and Adam Collard
Sports presenter Laura Woods and former Love Island star Adam Collard announced in July they are expecting their first baby together! The pair, who started dating last year, announced their news on Instagram.
Montana Brown and Mark O'Connor
Just 13 months after welcoming her first child into the world, a son called Jude, Love Island 2017 star Montana Brown announced she's pregnant with her second child with her fiancé Mark O'Connor. Montana announced her lovely news on Instagram, writing: 'Two under two let's go 👶🏽'.
Stephanie Davis and Joe McKalroy
Reality TV and soap star Stephanie Davis announced the lovely news in August that she's expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Joe McKalroy. Steph confirmed the news during an interview with OK! Magazine, where she confirmed the couple had been trying to conceive for two years, and had thought about IVF, before she fell pregnant naturally.
Steph is already a proud mum to her son Caben from a previous relationship with Jeremy McConnell.
Lucy Fallon
Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon announced in August that she's expecting her second child with her partner Ryan Ledson. Lucy shared the exciting news on Instagram, announcing she's 20 weeks pregnant on 19th August. The couple are already proud parents to one-year-old son Sonny Jude.
Charlotte Dawson
Just weeks after discovering her husband Matthew Sarsfield had been sending inappropriate messages to another woman, reality star Charlotte Dawson announced the news she's expecting her third child. Sharing the shock news on social media, Charlotte told fans: 'Been keeping a little secret… I have some news to share with you all amongst the negative here's the positive a beautiful beltin bun in the chuffin over, baba number 3 💙💗'. (sic)
Example and Daisy Cox
Music star Example, real name Elliot John Gleave, announced in September that his girlfriend Daisy Cox is expecting the couple's first child. Example is already a proud dad to sons Evander and Ennio, who he shares with his ex-wife Erin.
Charlotte Crosby
Reality star Charlotte Crosby announced in September she's expecting her second child with her fiancé Jake Ankers. The couple are already proud parents to their daughter Alba Jean. Charlotte and Jake announced their lovely news with a cute video on Instagram.
Lacey Turner
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner announced at the end of September that she's expecting her third child with her husband Matt Kay. Lacey shared the news on her Instagram page, posting a photo of her two kids holding a baby scan. She wrote: 'Aren't we lucky …..'. (sic)
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli MozzI
Princess Beatrice announced at the start of October she's expecting her second child with her husband Edoardo Mapelli MozzI. In a statement Buckingham Palace said: "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.
Edoardo is also a proud dad to his eight-year-old son Wolfie.
Oritsé and Kazz Williams
JLS singer Oritsé Williams and his wife Kazz announced in October they are expecting their first child together.
Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney
Actress Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her second child with her husband Cooke Maroney, with the pair already sharing their two-year-old son, Cy. The news was confirmed to Vogue in October by a representative for the actor.
Sophie Hinchliffe (Mrs Hinch)
Mrs Hinch, real name Sophie Hinchliffe, announced at the start of November that she's expecting her third child with her husband Jamie. The influencer shared the news on social media, writing: "Heaven was too far to visit, so you sent us a special gift from up above. I have no doubt you sent him to us Dad, to fill our hearts with so much love"🪽ILYD 💙Ronnie and Lennies Baby Brother. Our Baby Boy No.3 🙊 Joining us in 2025. The 3 Musketeers 💙💙💙 Bring on the absolute carnage boys @mrhinchhome 😉'. (sic)
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly
On 11th November, Megan Fox announced she is expecting her first child with her fiancé Machine Gun Kelly. The actress is already a proud mum to three children with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Machine Gun Kelly is also a proud dad to his daughter Casie, with his ex-partner Emma Cannon.
Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria
After welcoming their baby girl Beau in October 2022 and getting married for real during Christmas 2023, Married At First Sight 2021 stars Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria announced in November 2024 that they are expecting their second child together!
Arabella Chi
Love Island star and model Arabella Chi announced in early December that she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend Billy Henty. Arabella announced she's due in May 2025.
Joss Stone
In December 2024, singer Joss Stone revealed she was expecting her fourth child, just weeks after adopting a newborn. Saying in the post 'shocked is an understatement', she told fans... 'nothing and no one can take our joy now. We are so chuffed !!!! Maybe we should call the 'less is more tour the preggo tour 😆 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️' (sic).
After Janette stepped down as a dancer on Strictly, her husband Aljaž announced his departure following nine years on the show in March 2022.
Sharing an emotional statement at the time, he told fans: 'It went like this... We would like to offer you a position on @bbcstrictly as a professional dancer. A dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23 year old boy from Slovenia. It didn’t matter how many beautiful ballrooms I performed in during my competitive career, stepping onto the sacred Strictly floor was the most nervous I had ever been.
'A little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last. The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last 9 years. The love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. @jasongilkison, @sarahjamesface, @kimwinston, @jack.will.g are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show - I am forever grateful to them!
'Being a part of a group of professionals that inspire and push you to be better every step of the way is humbling and I will carry that inspiration with me forever. Every year the lineup of dancers would change but one thing stayed the same, WE WERE THE BEST! And this is one thing that I know will never change on Strictly!
'Strictly also has the BEST backstage team - the hair and make-up team, costume department, lighting, sound, props and special effects, camera operators… THANK YOU!
'My beautiful partners.. It's hard to put into words how many beautiful memories we have had. I LOVE YOU ALL!
'To my bucka.. from picking songs, creating stories and choreographing steps we always did it as a team. Your talent and selflessness knows no bounds. We got to perform with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, BBC Symphony Orchestra.. moments I will keep in my heart forever. I LOVE YOU!
'And finally, thank YOU, the people that watch Strictly who have been so kind to me all these years. Every comment, vote, kind message never went unnoticed. You are the reason we all do it, thank you!
'I have lots of exciting stuff planned that I will fill you in on soon. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
'KEEEEEP DANCING! Aljaz x'. (sic)
Janette and Aljaž's first child is due later in the year.
Huge congratulations to the couple on their lovely news. 👶
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