Janette Manrara Breaks Silence on Strictly Axe Rumours After Multiple Exits
It Takes Two host and former professional dancer Janette Manrara has broken her silence on rumours that she and co-host Fleur East were set to be axed from Strictly Come Dancing. This comes amid a significant shake-up in the show's pro dancer line-up, sparking widespread speculation about further changes.
Rumours and Denials
Following the departure of four pro dancers, whispers circulated that Janette and Fleur might also be cut from the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two. The BBC insisted these rumours were "factually incorrect", but the speculation persisted. Now, Janette has addressed the claims directly, telling audiences she would "have to wait and find out".
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Janette was asked whether fans would see her on It Takes Two in the autumn. She responded, "I don't know, we'll have to wait and find out. I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so we'll see what happens... That's showbiz!" She also dismissed rumours that the show itself would be dropped, assuring viewers, "Strictly is definitely coming back. We can say that."
Major Changes in Strictly Line-Up
The shake-up has seen several high-profile exits from Strictly Come Dancing. The first to go was Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional on the show. Her departure was followed by Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas. It is speculated that more announcements are imminent, with Gorka Marquez and Neil Jones rumoured to be next.
Janette joked about the changes, saying, "I'm assuming we'll have a couple new professionals and a couple of new presenters as well." This comes after the show lost its long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, leading to concerns about its future amidst recent scandals.
BBC Looks to America for New Talent
In response to the exits, BBC bosses are reportedly seeking fresh talent from America for the next series. Producers have held talks with US dancer D’angelo Castro, who caught their attention during a recent UK visit. The 25-year-old has appeared on Dancing With The Stars and built a strong social media following.
A source close to the show told The Sun on Sunday, "Strictly bosses are on the lookout for fresh faces and love the look of D’angelo, he ticks all the boxes. They hope he could be the new Giovanni Pernice."
Past Controversies and Departures
Giovanni Pernice left Strictly in 2023 after his dance partner Amanda Abbington accused him of bullying and harassment, which he denied. In September 2024, the BBC apologised to Amanda and upheld her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment, though not physical aggression.
Another pro dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was sacked in summer 2023 amid claims he "hit, spat at and kicked" his partner Zara McDermott. Graziano expressed regret on Instagram, stating, "I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime."
As Strictly Come Dancing navigates these changes and controversies, fans await official announcements on the future of It Takes Two and the new season's line-up.
