Hello there, I'm Clara Anfo and welcome back to this city, a podcast dedicated to the stories, the places and the people of our wonderful capital city, London.

Now, each episode, I'll be talking to some of the city's most recognisable names, whether they were born here or have made it their second home to hear their very own love letter to London.

My guest this time around is one of my most favourite people in the whole wide world.

We first became friends in the glorious autumn, winter, winter of 2020 when I signed up for that

year series of Strictly Come Dancing. This was the first Strictly that was done in lockdown and

it was an intense emotional electrifying experience. Life changing to be honest and I would do it all again in a heartbeat,

especially if I got to dance with this man, Aliash Skolianis.

Aliash is from Savinia, and he made his home in London as a young, plucky dancer,

and it led him to who we know now, the guy on telly on Saturday night, who is so much more than that.

So without further ado, and to tell his London story, here is the glorious Aliash Skorayans.

Partner, I hope I pronounce your surname right.

Oh my gosh, dear listener, we've been waiting for this day for a long time.

As it is the season of dancing, as the nights are getting longer and colder, as we cuddle up on our sofas, it would be an absolute sin for me not to have this person on this city. This person is one of my most

favourite people in the whole wide world. We first became friends in October of 2020 and we

haven't looked back since and many, many, many hours were spent in London, mainly in the dance studio, because that's

where we practiced. What a delight, Ali Ash, Scotianus.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Partner, what I love the most about this introduction

is that I sound a bit like Santa Claus.

The nights are getting longer. It's getting colder. It's my turn to show up into your city.

By the way, a huge fan of the show, a huge fan of this podcast. So I'm a little bit nervous for this

way. In a good way. Listen, man, you don't have to be nervous.

I, do you think I love about doing this podcast is that for me, it's about the whole phrase of, you see it on the tube, you see it at the bus stations, like London is open, right? And this podcast is about people that were either born here or they've made it their second home. And I think you are a great example of somebody that probably didn't think they were going to end up here, but you've

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