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Janette Manrara has opened up on her relationship with Aljaž Škorjanec, explaining that Strictly Come Dancing actually helped them.
The 37 year old, who recently revealed Prince William is a fan of the show, and Aljaž began dating back in 2009 after meeting while in the Broadway show Burn The Floor.
The couple toured the world together but were quickly faced with being plunged into a long-distance relationship once the show was over.
However, just as Aljaž, 31, was getting ready to return to Slovenia and Janette was preparing to go back to Los Angeles, the pair were asked to audition for the BBC show.
Speaking on the Sliding Doors podcast, Janette explained: "The thought of doing the whole long-distance thing made it hard for us.
"We were very scared about what was going to happen to our relationship."
She went on to speak about how she and Aljaž were invited to be on Strictly as she said: "They called me first and asked me to join the show, I didn’t scream but my face said it all. Within five minutes they called him straight after."
Describing it as a "dream come true", she continued: "Getting Strictly Come Dancing was the most incredible thing, not just for my career but for my personal life and marriage with Aljaz because if it wasn’t for Strictly, I don’t know if we could have worked through the long-distance thing."
Janette and Aljaž joined the programme in 2013 for its 11th series and just four years later the pair tied the knot, solidifying their relationship.
It comes after the star recently told OK! that Aljaž cried when she was first given her new role as It Takes Two presenter.
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Janette revealed to OK! that there has been lots of tears since she found out about her new role. She explained: "They started the day I got the job!
"Those were mixed tears – really happy and excited but also the realisation. I know there will be more tears to come.
"There’s a possibility that I might be there at the launch show and if I am, I’m going to ask them to give me waterproof mascara!"
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She continued: "I messaged Zoe Ball the day she announced she was leaving, saying, 'I’m going to miss you so much. I’ve loved sitting and talking to you on the couch.' She replied, 'It should be you taking over,' with a wink face.
"I remember thinking, 'If only – that would be amazing!'"
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One tonight at 6:45pm
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