STRICTLY’S cast and crew are furious over the return of dancer Aljaž Škorjanec — as it emerged he left the show under a cloud after a “shocking” altercation with a female professional.
The Sun can reveal the Slovenian, 34, agreed to go after the incident on a boozy night out on the 2022 live tour.
Last night the BBC denied an official complaint was made over the incident.
But it raises questions why the under-fire broadcaster would welcome Aljaz back to replace Giovanni Pernice, who quit over his own abuse claims.
The BBC is due to announce the findings of the internal investigation into Giovanni’s case within days.
And it comes after another Italian dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was dumped by the show for kicking dance partner Zara McDermott.
A source said: “Has the BBC learned nothing from the past ten months? Amid ongoing furore around the behaviour of its male pros, they actively recruited a dancer who left under a cloud. Aljaž was touted as an unproblematic, returning legend but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Most were relieved to see him go back then and are aghast he’s been given a free pass back.
“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.”
Aljaz spoke of the “tough decision” to leave the show in March 2022 and pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.
But it came after a period of huge unrest backstage.
He had been among a group of male pros, who The Sun is not naming, who basked in their new fame and enjoyed 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.
Aljaz announced he was leaving Strictly on March 28, 2022.
At the time, The Sun reported that Aljaz had “verbally lashed out” and upset crew during the series, where he danced with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies.
A source told us in March 2022: “Incidents with Aljaz on the last series left some crew really upset.
“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.
“Aljaž was seen by some as arrogant and pompous, and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.”
A spokesperson for Aljaž hit back: “Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time. It was Aljaž’s decision to leave the show after an incredible nine years.”
Aljaž’s return was announced on The One Show on July 8, with promotion gushing that he “graced the nation with his fancy footwork on Strictly for nine iconic series”.
Aljaž, who is wed to Strictly: It Takes Two host Janette Manrara, said: “I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family.
“This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.
“I had an absolute ball on my nine-year stint on Strictly. During my time away I became a parent, which has been an exciting challenge in itself and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again.
“It feels so right to be coming back. I missed the fun, glitter and the judges, of course, and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud.”
Others on Strictly do not feel the same.
A source told The Sun: “The older members of the team who worked with him the first time around are fuming he’s back and it’s causing big problems. After the incident on tour, some of the female dancers are livid he’s been reappointed and just don’t want to be around him.”
Aljaz first joined in the 11th series and won the Glitterball trophy with model Abbey Clancy.
In 2023, Aljaž admitted he struggled in his later years on Strictly.
He said: “A year and a half ago I hit an early midlife crisis and now I don’t know what I want to do in my life. I love talking now, so I love doing Q&As, birthdays, calls — don’t make me dance but I can talk for ages.”
His reappointment came after Gio was confirmed to have quit amid the probe into his conduct while partnered with actress Amanda Abbington.
Other stars then came forward.
He denies wrongdoing and the report is expected to be released next week.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 will begin on September 14, with a glittering show dance to welcome back cancer-stricken Amy Dowden and videos showing the pro dancers meeting their celebrity partners.
BBC Studios declined to comment when asked about the incident on the 2022 Strictly tour.
A BBC spokesperson said they did not recognise the claims against Aljaz and said it was his decision to leave in 2022.
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