Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has opened up on where she feels the show will be in the next 20 years as she prepares to host the BBC dancing competition’s sister show – It Takes Two – once again.
Manrara first joined Strictly as a professional dancer in 2013 and had eight partners during her time including Julien Macdonald, Jake Wood, Peter Andre, Melvin Odoom, Aston Merrygold, Ranj Singh, Will Bayley, and HRVY.
She left the show in 2021 and shortly after was announced to be taking over Zoe Ball’s presenting role on It Takes Two – now sharing the show with former Strictly contestant Fleur East.
The first live show will air this weekend with the 15 hopeful celebrities taking to the ballroom for the first time with their professionals and being closely scrutinised by the prying judge’s eyes.
Strictly’s 20th-year return has been shrouded with doubt after the BBC was forced to launch an investigation into the conduct and behaviour of former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima – both of who have stepped away from the show.
Whilst the probe was initially launched by Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, Manrara was brought into the row by former partner Bayley after he claimed she forced him to perform despite sustaining an injury – forcing him to pull out of the competition in week six.
The Paralympian claimed that intense training pressures led to him performing a move that has left him with pain he’ll be dealing with for the rest of his life.
Bayley said Manrara described his first attempt as “rubbish” and despite living with arthrogryposis, he felt forced to try again, and added: “I hope what I went through never happens to anyone else.
“I think the show thought they were being inclusive by casting me, but I actually felt pressured. I have got a serious disability and I don’t think anyone was really looking out for me when I injured myself, leaving me with injuries that still affect me to this day.
“No one has ever contacted me from the BBC or said sorry. There was no duty of care — I should have been taken to hospital as soon as I had the accident, but all they cared about was trying to get me to dance.”
A representative for Manrara responded to Bayley’s claims and told the Daily Mail: “Janette had a great time dancing with Will and one of her favourite moments on the show was doing their contemporary couples choice.
“Her celebrity partner’s safety and enjoyment was always the priority throughout her time on Strictly Janette has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will.”
Despite the complaint from Bayley and the investigation – which is still yet to release its findings – Manrara is hopeful for the future of the show and recently admitted: “I’m really hoping we get 20 more years of the same!
“For me, being part of the show for, I think, 11 years now, it’s been the most magical 11 years of my life. To keep celebrating and dancing, to keep seeing people’s faces light up when they learn a new step or get a routine right.
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“Meeting a fan of the show on the street who say, ‘Oh my god, I loved that dance’ or ‘I loved that moment when such-and-such happened,’ it’s so special.”
Adding how it feels to be back and part of It Takes Two in its 20th year, she added: “Oh my gosh, 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing and 20 years of It Takes Two, two shows that make people smile throughout the most exciting time of the year.
“I am absolutely privileged to host It Takes Two alongside Fleur. She’s such an amazing partner to do this with. And, I mean, Strictly Come Dancing is the best TV show on telly.
“As a dancer myself, knowing the level of appreciation it gets from the audience and fans is so humbling. So for me to be back on It Takes Two, talking about dancing and the couples and their experiences, is incredible. I’m so happy.”
