Strictly Come Dancing couple devastated as they 'can't afford' dream home

Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec were blown away(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing stars Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec encountered a harsh financial reality on Celebrity Escape to the Country when they discovered their dream Cheshire property exceeded their means.

The professional dancers, who are currently renting in Cheshire, appeared on the programme's celebrity special whilst searching for the ideal family home to bring up their daughter.

With host Sonali Shah showing them around a range of luxurious properties, the duo discovered a breathtaking house featuring a gymnasium and stream, carrying a substantial price tag of £925,000.

After hearing the cost, Aljaz joked: "I think we just need to dance a little bit harder. That's what we need to do, dance a little harder and better!".

Janette, laughing along, added: "So we can afford it!", reports the Mirror.

Fans were not too sure with the episode(Image: BBC)

The couple had established a budget of £700-900,000, putting the second property well beyond their comfortable reach.

This particular episode, which first broadcast in December 2023, generated backlash amongst audiences for featuring celebrity budgets that dramatically surpass those of typical contestants on the BBC show.

One especially angry viewer complained at the time: "Our licence fee is paying for their house in the f*****g country! ! ! Talk about rubbing it in our noses! Who the f*** commissioned this?" reports Wales Online.

Another exasperated viewer commented: "Just because you can make a celebrity version doesn't mean you should!".

The stunning house was not within the couple's budget(Image: BBC)

Similarly, another audience member voiced their displeasure, describing the celebrity special as "out of touch". As the programme drew to a close, after showcasing three remarkable properties, presenter Sonali was keen to find out the couple's next steps.

Janette explained their dilemma, pointing out that despite the charm of the three houses, older properties often need a lot of maintenance.

She expanded on their hesitation to commit to an older house due to the potential for major upkeep problems they might not be able to handle. As a result, they decided to broaden their search to include more modern homes in the area.