Janette Manrara Calls Strictly Presenter Rejection Her ‘Biggest’ Career Blow
Janette Manrara has described missing out on the main presenting role for Strictly Come Dancing as the “biggest rejection of her career,” leading to weeks of intense “heartache.” The former professional dancer and It Takes Two co-host had felt she was a “frontrunner” to succeed long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Manrara’s Ambition for the Main Stage
Manrara, who became a familiar face to UK audiences through the BBC ballroom competition, initially as a professional dancer before moving to co-host the companion show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two alongside Fleur East, spoke about her disappointment on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast. She openly discussed what she believed could have been her next significant step within the Strictly franchise, indicating she felt like a strong candidate to take over from the main show’s established hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, as reported by PinkNews.
The Audition Process and Emotional Aftermath
Manrara confirmed she underwent a “chemistry test” for the role, competing against other well-known figures such as Emma Willis, Rylan Clark, and Zoe Ball. Ultimately, the presenting job for the new series went to Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdecombe. The rejection left Manrara “devastated,” leading her to “sob for weeks,” according to Digital Spy. She also mentioned speaking with Fleur East and Zoe Ball about the “grief” they all felt at not securing the position. Following this decision, Ellie Taylor took over Manrara’s role on It Takes Two.
Professional Handling and Personal Pride
Despite the profound disappointment, Manrara praised how the producers handled the situation. She recalled that agents were informed of the outcome on the same day, and producers offered support, telling her she was “brilliant” even if they couldn’t specify why they chose to “go elsewhere.” Manrara expressed that the experience, while painful, also gave her a sense of pride. She reflected on her career progression over seven years, noting her journey from a dancer to hosting Morning Live, It Takes Two, and the Strictly live tour, asserting that she had done “a bloody good job” in honing her presenting craft.
