Aliona Vilani makes a dramatic U-turn and returns to Strictly… with Jay McGuinness
The professional dancer quit the show but will now come back and take on a different role
SHE sensationally quit the show last year, despite winning with partner Jay McGuinness, but now “bored” professional dancer Aliona Vilani is to make a return to Strictly Come Dancing.
The 32-year-old shocked fans when she hung up her dancing shoes last year in order to focus on starting a family with husband Vincent Kavanagh, however she is now in talks to take on a choreographer role on the hit BBC show, and be first reserve if a dancer is injured.
An insider told The Mirror: “She is bored and really keen to get back on the show in some capacity.
“She is currently talking to show bosses about having a choreography role, and she is their number one dancer to turn to if someone has an injury.
“She’s over the moon and realised she was a bit hasty in her decision to quit.”
Her partner, The Wanted’s Jay McGuinness will also be making a return to Strictly, as the two are expected to open the new series this year.
While Aliona is excited about her comeback, one person who won’t be dancing with joy is MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace, who blames Aliona for his quick departure two years ago.
He said: “I didn’t particularly enjoy Strictly. I love dancing, but if I were paired with somebody who liked me then I would have done better.”