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The One Show’s Alex Jones makes ‘awkward’ mix-up about Strictly couple Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec’s ‘baby news’

Presenter admitted she had jumped to conclusions at seeing photo of a newborn baby on the couple’s social media

Annabel Nugent
Tuesday 16 February 2021 08:51 GMT
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Strictly Come Dancing launch

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Alex Jones was left embarrassed after she had misinterpreted “baby news” from Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec.

The couple were appearing on The One Show via video link on Monday (15 February) when Jones admitted her mistake.

The presenter said: “Last week, all I saw – because I sort of skim-read – was ‘baby news, Aljaz and Janette!’ and I was like: ‘Oh they’re having a baby, that’s lovely news.’”

The photos of the newborn baby that the couple – who have been dating for 10 years – shared were of Skorjanec’s niece.

Skorjanec laughed as he clarified the misunderstanding. “No, my little sister gave birth to a beautiful little niece so that’s the baby news.”

(The One Show / BBC)

Jones went on to admit that she had been so convinced that the news had been in regards to Manrara and Skorjanec that she had sent a congratulatory message.

The presenter also added that she had begun worrying about Manrara’s future on the BBC dancing competition.

The 42-year-old said: “I was like: ‘Oh my god, is Janette going to do Strictly? How will it work?’ I was way ahead. Slightly awkward.” 

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Manrara revealed that she had postponed being a parent due to her career as a dancer.

“As a woman who’s a dancer, my body is my job so it’s scary to make that decision about the perfect time to start a family,” said Manrara.

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She added: “We always wanted to have a baby but 2020 has definitely made me say to myself: ‘You know what, Janette, it’s never going to be the perfect time but it’s always going to be the right time.’”

Manrara and Skorjanec have been mainstays on the hit dancing competition since they both joined in 2013.

Last year’s series saw Manrara finish as runner-up with her celebrity partner, YouTube star HRVY.

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