Aliona Vilani is one of only two professional dancers to have won the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy twice, with her Pulp Fiction jive alongside Jay McGuiness widely regarded as one of the show's most memorable routines.
The Kazakhstani ballroom champion, now 42, joined the BBC programme in 2009 and departed in 2015. During her time on the show she finished as runner-up with presenter Matt Baker and claimed victory with both McFly's Harry Judd and The Wanted's Jay McGuiness.
The iconic Pulp Fiction jive
Her series 13 jive with Jay to a Pulp Fiction medley is frequently regarded as one of the finest routines in Strictly history, having amassed over 5.2 million views on YouTube. When it was crowned during a TV special in 2020 as the most unforgettable dance in Strictly history at the time, viewers were thrilled and flocked to social media to share their thoughts.
One said: "Jay and Aliona's Jive absolutely deserves the top stop on the #Strictly countdown. I've never forgotten it. It was the best dance ever!" Another remarked: "Jay and Aliona's Pulp Fiction Jive at number one... where it should be."
But they were astounded that it didn't achieve the perfect score, earning three nines and a 10 from the four judges. "Wait – Jay McGuiness' Jive only scored 37? Scandalous," a Twitter user wrote.
While Aliona never managed a 40 with Jay, she secured perfect scores from the judges twice with Harry Judd, for their Argentine Tango and their Quickstep.
Strictly controversy
Former children's TV presenter Johnny Ball participated in Strictly in 2012 and was originally paired with Aliona and then Iveta Lukošiūtė, but in 2017 Johnny launched a shocking tirade against his Strictly dance partners, claiming they conspired to ensure he was eliminated first.
He told The Sun on Sunday: "Aliona fell on a flat floor in flat shoes and said she had broken her leg. The next day she flew to the South of France for a pre-arranged weekend with her boyfriend."
The star was then partnered with Iveta - and he alleged that she choreographed a routine that was beyond his capabilities. He said: "When I was knocked out she said, 'That's funny, my contract ends on Tuesday'." Aliona strongly refuted the allegations.
Aliona's life beyond Strictly
Strictly fans were stunned when, just days after securing her second glitterball trophy with Jay, Aliona revealed she was departing the programme.
When she made her exit announcement, speculation suggested she was stepping away to begin a family with husband Vincent Kavanagh. Aliona is no longer in the spotlight but it was reported the couple welcomed daughter Bella in 2017.
