Strictly Come Dancing Stars Aljaz and Janette Return for Southport Flower Show's 100th Anniversary

Strictly Stars to return to this year’s 100th anniversary show

We are delighted to announce that Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec will be returning to this year’s show on Saturday 17th August.

Alan Adams, General Manager said “We are delighted to welcome back Janette and Aljaž to this year’s show. They last visited in 2022 and our visitors loved them so much we decided to ask them back for this year’s special anniversary. You will catch them around the showground and hosting a Q&A in the Garden Theatre. They join a great line-up of special guests this year”.

Janette is a talented professional dancer and choreographer. She’s best known for her appearances on the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Born in Miami, Florida, Janette has graced the dance floor with her elegance, precision, and infectious energy. Her performances have left audiences spellbound, and her passion for dance is truly contagious.

Aljaž hails from Slovenia and is also a seasoned dancer. He too made a name for himself on Strictly Come Dancing. His charisma, strong technique, and genuine love for the art of dance have made him a fan favourite. Aljaž and Janette share not only their love for dance but also something more, they are not just dance partners; they’re life partners. Janette and Aljaž got married in 2017 and their chemistry both on and off the dance floor is palpable. 

Janette and Aljaž were mainstays on Strictly Come Dancing, the beloved British dance competition show, and both joined the series in 2013. They enjoyed 9 remarkable years on the show before Janette bid goodbye in 2021 and Aljaz did the same in 2022. It has just been confirmed however, that Aljaž is returning to Strictly Come Dancing this Autumn.

They have both appeared on Strictly: It Takes Two, which Janette hosts, and more recently, Celebrity Escape to the Country, where they decided to trade their chalet for a charming country cottage. In the series, Janette and Aljaž embarked on an adventure to rural Cheshire. With sparkly wellies at the ready, they explored picturesque landscapes and cozy homes. The show captures their journey as they seek a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the dance floor. 

Janette recently penned her first book titled Tiny Dancer: BIG World a delightful memoir in which she shares not only her dance journey, but also valuable advice, inspirational stories, and life lessons gleaned from her childhood in a large Cuban immigrant family in sunny Florida to her decision to pursue a career in dance. 

Southport Flower Show, sponsored by the Seventy Ninth Group, is the UK’s largest independent flower show and attracts over 55,000 visitors across 4 days.

Visitors to this year’s show can enjoy inspirational show gardens, spectacular floral displays, gardening advice, show jumping, pop-up shopping village, cookery demonstrations, live music, arena entertainment and so much more!

Gardening guests at this year’s show are Carole Baxter and George Anderson of Beechgrove Garden, Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners’ World, David Domoney of Love Your Garden and The Skinny Jean Gardener of Blue Peter. 

Celebrity chefs at this year’s show are Platinum Pudding winner Jemma Melvin, Matt Tebbutt of Saturday Kitchen, Nisha Katona MBE - restaurateur, cookbook author and TV chef and Phil Vickery of This Morning.

Special guests confirmed to date are BBC broadcaster, TV personality and DJ Adele Roberts and CBeebeies Star Justin Fletcher.

So why not join us Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th August 2024 to celebrate 100 years of Southport Flower Show.

Early bird tickets are available until Wednesday 14th August. Buy your tickets early and save. Tickets are flexible and can be used on any one of the show days. Children under 16 go free with a paying adult. Well behaved dogs are allowed on leads.

Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting announcements on our Southport Flower Show website and social media channels.