Strictly Come Dancing pro Aljaž Škorjanec opens up on ‘real reason’ he quit the BBC competition

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Aljaž Škorjanec revealed he was having a "midlife crisis" when he decided to quit the show.

The professional dancer, who is expecting his first baby with wife Janette Manrara, quit the show last year after nine seasons.

Aljaž, 33, has now admitted he wanted to step away from dancing to focus on other opportunities.

"I found I fell in love with dancing again when I did theatre, people came to see me and I found an appreciation for someone clapping after I finished dancing. I fell in love with that concept," he told the .

"I did theatre for three years and then Strictly came around and I did that for nine years.

"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."

Although Strictly fans will miss Aljaž gracing their screens each week on the BBC dancing competition, he may still make an appearance on the spin-off show It Takes Two.

Earlier this year, TV presenter Rylan revealed he had quit the spin-off show after years of presenting alongside Janette, 39.

The pregnant star joked that her husband Aljaž would make a good co-host for her on the show.

We do need a new co-host, don't you think?

"I'm not being biased, he's my husband, but if I'm going to have a TV husband who is better than my actual husband?"

Not dropping any further hints, Aljaž joked: "As a husband it is just amazing when your wife gets paid to talk - the evenings are very different."

It comes after Janette showed off her blossoming baby bump with husband Aljaž at a London film premiere.

The happy couple revealed in March that they were expecting their first child together.

The pair could be seen looking lovingly at each other as they cradled her bump on the red carpet at The Little Mermaid premiere.