Doctors reveal concerning reason behind Strictly star’s alarming breathing pattern

Experts have weighed in on fans’ concerns for the health of Strictly Come Dancing pro Aljaz Skorjanec, after the 34 year-old appeared to be extremely out of breath post performance. 

The dance partner to Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, 26 was breathing heavily after their recital on Saturday night’s show, which was picked up by his microphone for fans to hear.

Strictly viewers watching at home were alarmed, urging Skorjanec to ‘get checked out’, and voicing concerns he may be ‘about to keel over with a coronary!’

Speaking to MailOnline, a top GP Dr Hana Patel has given her medical verdict on whether fans are right to be concerned about the dancer’s health — and what the problem could be.

Firstly, some heavy breathing after exercise is normal, although it is most often seen in those who aren’t particularly active or unfit, she said. 

‘Occasional shortness of breath during intense exercise is expected, especially if you push your body beyond its usual limits.’ 

However, she said, if ‘persistent or excessive shortness of breath’ continues more than 10 minutes after exercise, it is likely to indicate an underlying issue that ‘requires attention’.

Over the weekend, former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri , 26, and partner Aljaz Skorjanec , 34, danced to Pink’s What About Us? during the shows first Icons Week 

It was no wonder Aljaz was out of breath following the energetic routine which saw him and Tasha score a massive 39 points from the judges, placing them joint top of the leaderboard 

One possible and common cause of breathlessness is asthma — a lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties, a tight chest and coughing. 

It’s a common condition that affects 5.4 million Brits — about eight in every 100 people.

Dr Patel explains that asthma may make you may feel breathless during and after exercise because it’s difficult to ‘move air in and out of your lungs,’ Dr Patel explains. 

Although it often starts in childhood, it can affect people of all ages and can develop for the first time in adults and it can be treated with an inhaler, the NHS says.

However, breathing difficulties can also be a symptom of serious lung infections, such as pneumonia — inflammation in the lungs usually caused by a bacteria— which may cause shortness of breath.

In most cases patients are given antibiotics to treat pneumonia. 

Some fans also urged Skorjanec — who returned this series after a two-year absence — to get himself tested for Covid. 

It caused alarm for some Strictly viewers watching at home, who took to X to ask the dancer to ‘get checked out’

Shortness of breath is a symptom of Covid — but it can also be a sign of the common cold, thanks to a blocked nose.

Although anxiety doe cause mental symptoms such as  feeling nervous, it also can cause physical affects including faster breathing. 

Breathlessness can also come on suddenly during a panic attack along with a racing heart, feeling dizzy and shaking legs, mental health charity Mind explains. 

Dr Patel stresses that those who feel like they’re unable to breath should seek immediate medical attention. 

Concern online from fans isn’t always just speculation, in some instances viewer’s voicing genuine worries has led to celebrities getting their health conditions diagnosed.

Heart FM star Jamie Theakston saw a doctor after fans expressed concern about his changing voice on his radio show. Weeks later he revealed he has throat cancer.

BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, also revealed that he only found out that he had Parkinson’s when a doctor spotted his hand shaking as it gripped a microphone during a broadcast.

Similarly, The Chase star Paul Sinha was diagnosed with Parkinson’s after his doctor spotted telltale signs of the disease while watching him on TV.