Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published • loading... • Updated

Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara Says She "Sobbed for Weeks" over Hosting Snub

Manrara said she felt like a frontrunner and called the snub the biggest rejection of her career.

  • Janette Manrara revealed the "heartache" of missing out on a Strictly Come Dancing presenting role during an appearance on Jamie Laing's The Great Company podcast, calling it the "biggest rejection of her career."
  • Manrara believed she was a "frontrunner" for the role, having served as a professional dancer for eight years on Strictly, then hosted Takes Two for five years while simultaneously leading the Strictly Live Tour for five years.
  • After performing well in chemistry tests, Manrara "sobbed for weeks" when producers selected other candidates, finding solace discussing the "grief" of rejection with fellow hopefuls Zoe Ball and Fleur East.
  • The BBC One competition officially launched its new season on Saturday, September 26, featuring Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe as hosts, following Manrara's departure from Takes Two earlier this year.
  • Supporting husband Aljaz Skorjanec, who returned as a professional dancer for the 2026 series, Manrara is now focusing on other projects, writing on Instagram, "I could not be prouder of all the beautiful years of joy you have brought.
Insights by Ground AI

12 Articles

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 42% of the sources lean Left
42% Left

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

The Independent broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal