BBC Strictly's Janette Manrara announces exit from spin-off with heartfelt message
Janette Manrara has confirmed she will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off show It Takes Two
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing have been dealt a blow after yet another beloved star confirmed their departure from the show. Janette Manrara, who served as a professional dancer on the BBC series from 2013 to 2020, has co-hosted the spin-off show It Takes Two alongside Fleur East since 2021.
The 42-year-old has now announced she will not be returning to her presenting role when the series kicks off later this year. In her YouTube video, she shared: "Strictly Come Dancing has now changed hugely. I'm no longer a part of It Takes Two or the main show.
"I'll still be involved in other ways. But, that just means that I'm free to pursue and do many other projects that I've always wanted to do and never really thought about doing.
"Strictly's all I've ever known for the last 14 years, so it is a bit of like, 'Oh, we're going into a different world, a different space, how are we going to navigate that?'"
It didn't take long for fans to flood the comments section of her video, with many expressing their sadness at the news, reports the Mirror.
One fan wrote: "Sorry to see you leave Strictly, as Bruce would say, you were my favourite :) Saw you in Chicago in Southend and you were great. Hope to see you on a stage again soon!"
While another added: "Gutted you aren't the new Strictly presenter....too many opportunities waiting for you. Xx"
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Janette is not the first star to confirm her departure from the long-running dance programme, as professional dancers Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas will also not be returning to Strictly.
Last month, it was revealed who would be stepping into the presenting roles vacated by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, both of whom announced that their final series would be in 2025.
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe have been confirmed as the new presenting trio for Strictly Come Dancing, which is due to kick off this autumn.
Speaking about joining the series, Emma said: "It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Strictly – I've cheered and danced along from my sofa for years - so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend.
"It's impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind - two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.
"I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter. I can't wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!"
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
