Aljaz Skorjanec is returning to Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer this year – after bosses were left with a pro dancer short when Giovanni Pernice quit

Alijaz Skorjanec answered a secret SOS call from Strictly bosses after Giovanni Pernice’s decision to quit left them in the lurch.

Sources said that BBC bigwigs had assumed the 2024 pro dancer line-up would be the same as last year’s after backing the Italian, 33, in the face of bullying allegations that he denies.

They were prepared to keep Gio in the show amid a BBC probe, as he had not been found guilty of anything. But they are said to have been caught off-guard by Gio seeking out other gigs.

One source told the Mirror: “As far as bosses were concerned, Giovanni would be welcomed back with open arms.

So they were blindsided.

At that stage, they did not have enough time to go through the months of research and auditions necessary to recruit a new professional dancer.

So the idea to bring back Aljaz was born and thankfully he was happy to step in at the last minute and save the day.”

Aljaz, 34, who left Strictly in 2022 to have a baby with his wife and It Takes Two Host Janette Manrara, revealed on The One Show on Monday that he was returning to the dance floor in the Autumn.

Our source added: “Aljaz has always been an immensely popular member of the Strictly family. Everyone is thrilled he will be back and helped avert a crisis.”

Giovanni strenuously denies the bullying allegations levelled at him by Sherlock star Amanda Abbington. A BBC source last night insisted that Aljaz’s casting was not a last-minute decision.