'We co-parent straight down the middle'

Janette Manrara on family life with Aljaž Škorjanec and their daughter Lyra, and what a Miami Christmas looks like

- MITYA UNDERWOOD

Janette Manrara has been holding the fort at home while her professional dancer husband Aljaž Škorjanec continues his daily rehearsals in preparation for impressing the Strictly Come Dancing judges each Saturday.

The couple, who married seven years ago, are parents to 16-month-old daughter Lyra and while Aljaž, 34, gets as far as he can in the competition with former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, Janette has been in full Christmas mode.

Strictly: It Takes Two co-host Janette, 41, is also using this time to raise awareness of Action For Children’s Secret Santa campaign, which is especially close to her heart because, as she tells new, she wasn’t always as fortunate as she is today…

Hi, Janette! Who gets more excited about Christmas, you or Aljaž?

Both of us. But he’s got a slightly different priority right now until 14 December. We all just want to enjoy the last few weeks and then it’s full Christmas mode.

You spent last Christmas with Aljaž’s family in Slovenia – it’s your family in Miami this year, isn’t it?

Yes, and our families do Christmas very differently. My family is loud and big, everything is red, green and gold, and the outside of the house is lit up like Santa’s home. They go crazy at Christmas every year. Aljaž’s family are more cosy and warm at Christmas. It’s softer, so it was perfect last year because Lyra was a little baby and this year she’ll get to see all the lights and all the craziness.

Tell us why you got involved in Action For Children’s Secret Santa campaign…