‘I was really struggling’: Strictly’s Aljaz Skorjanec reveals he turned off his phone and cut off contact with the world for a month after work burnout
Aljaz Skorjanec has revealed he cut off his contact with the world for a whole month after becoming burned out from work.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 30, told how he had hardly any days off during 2019 and so switched off his phone after he found he was ‘struggling’ by the end of the year.
Speaking on The Power of 10 podcast with Graham Bell, Aljaz said he used the coronavirus lockdown to ‘do nothing’ after he and his wife Janette Manrara lost work due to the pandemic.
Time out: Aljaz Skorjanec has revealed he cut off his contact with the world for a whole month after becoming burned out from work
He said: ‘In 2019 I had one week off and it was broken up into days. I literally had seven or eight days off in the whole year.
‘I was really struggling at the end of 2019. So when our tour in 2020 got cancelled I just said, “I’m going to take this opportunity and do nothing.”
‘So I switched off my phone for a month. I really switched off mentally and physically. The only thing I would do is go for a walk just to get some air.’
The dancer added he and his other half, who is also a dancer on Strictly, stayed in their flat for months and learned a new dynamic of their relationship.
Decision: The Strictly Come Dancing star, 30, told how he had hardly any days off during 2019 and so switched off his phone after he found he was ‘struggling’ by the end of the year
He said: ‘Janette and I stayed in this flat for months. We have lived together for 10 years but we’ve always worked as well.
‘So it was interesting to learn the dynamics of the two of us being at home but not doing much.’
While they spent lots of time together during the first lockdown, Aljaz and Janette were forced apart during filming the most recent series of Strictly.
The pair had to live separately during filming because of the show’s strict coronavirus measures.
Lockdown: Aljaz said he used the coronavirus lockdown to ‘do nothing’ after he and his wife Janette Manrara lost work due to the pandemic
When asked at the time what they would do once reunited, she told The Sun: ‘Oh my gosh. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this publicly, put it that way!
‘Let’s just say we won’t mind being in a lockdown, I’ll tell you that. It’s been a tough year in many ways but we’ll make up for it!’
Janettd, who was paired with HRVY, had been living alone since October, while Aljaz had gone back to their home after leaving the show two weeks ago alongside his celeb partner DJ Clara Amfo.
He said: ‘I was really struggling at the end of 2019. So when our tour in 2020 got cancelled I just said, “I’m going to take this opportunity and do nothing”‘ (pictured with Clara Amfo)
In October, Janette was asked by Claudia Winkleman how it has been getting used to not living with her husband, who she married in 2017.
She said: ‘You have both lived together for 10 years, but to form your bubbles you are both living alone. How are you finding it?’
Janette quickly replied: ‘I love it! No, I miss him terribly, but we’re doing what’s best for the show. But I’m so excited to start with HRVY.’
Apart: While they spent lots of time together during the first lockdown, Aljaz and Janette were forced apart during filming the most recent series of Strictly due to coronavirus measures