Janette Manrara admits parenting has been 'difficult and she and Aljaž Škorjanec have no one to help them' - as couple put on a loved-up display at Strictly rehearsals

Janette Manrara has admitted parenting has been 'very difficult' and she and her Strictly pro husband Aljaž Škorjanec have 'no one to help' as she lifted the lid on her first year of motherhood.

The Strictly Come Dancing legend opened up to OK! Magazine about the challenges the couple have faced so far as first-time parents - which are about to get more difficult with Aljaž, 34, returning to the BBC show after a two-year break.

She candidly revealed: 'It's very difficult. We have no one to help, so it's all about future planning as much as as possible. It's a massive juggle.

'Right now, Aljaž and I are trying to figure out how we're going to make it work with him being back on Strictly full time.'

The pro, who gave birth in July last year, added that during her first year on Strictly [2013] when Aljaž went off to do the live tour, she felt' very lonely' and found it 'really tough to navigate'.

Now, with Janette's family based in Miami and Aljaz’s in Slovenia, the duo say that planning childcare can be 'complicated' so they are having to map out every moment in advance for the coming months.

Today, the family seemed in very high spirits and to be taking the challenge in their stride as they arrived at their hotel in London, following a day of rehearsals for Aljaž.

The couple put on a loved up display, holding hands while Janette pushed the pram and Aljaž sweetly cradled baby Lyra, who is 13 months old.

During the new interview, Janette described her husband, who she tied the knot with in 2017, as 'not just the love of her life' but also her 'confidant, partner in crime, soul mate, and best friend'.

She heartwarmingly gushed that seeing him as a father to their little girl made her fall for him all over again.

Upon rejoining Strictly this year for the 20th anniversary of the dancing competition, Aljaž said he hoped to make baby Lyra following his two year hiatus from the show.

Speaking on The One Show in July, he said: 'What haven't I missed. I got to look after my beautiful wife, my beautiful baby for two years. But I missed everything about Strictly.

'I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.'

As Strictly celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

Aljaž and his celebrity partner Abbey Clancy raised the Glitterball in his debut year on the show in 2013 and he came runner up in 2017 with partner, Gemma Atkinson.

He added in a statement: 'I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.

'I had an absolute ball during my nine year stint on Strictly, during my time away I became a parent, which has been an exciting challenge in itself and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again.

'It feels so right to be coming back, I missed the fun, glitter and the judges of course and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud!'

Earlier this year, Janette candidly discussed the emotional difficulty of not being able to hold her baby daughter after her painful C-section.

Struggling with a long recovery after the birth, Janette admitted she was left feeling 'properly down.'

Speaking to The Mirror on their podcast, she explained: 'It was hard with a C-section it’s a long recovery. I couldn’t carry Lyra as much as I wanted to. That was really hard for me emotionally.

'It’s weird because you’ve carried this baby in your belly for nine months – you feel so connected to it. Then she’s born, and in the hospital you’re dealing with stitches, you’re dealing with all the drugs in your body.'

Janette continued: 'I went properly down. I just thought, ‘How can I not hold my baby now? I’ve just done this and now I can’t hold her’. That was really tough.'

Appearing on Loose Women in December 2023, Janette discussed the journey to welcoming Lyra into the world, admitting she was 'so glad' she didn't have to go through IVF.

She said: 'I was 39 and it is more complicated than you think. Don't assume it's going to happen as soon as you get off birth control.

'We are so grateful we didn't have to go through IVF. We have a book sazarina and I didn't know how I was going to feel so I medicated in the morning and we danced and it was like a proper birthday and she was born to the song we wanted.'