Janette Manrara has announced she’s stepping down as a Strictly Come Dancing professional, after landing a new presenting job with the show.
The Cuban-American dancer has been with Strictly since 2013, and had originally been announced as one of the professionals taking part in the show later this year.
However, she’ll instead be hosting spin-off show It Takes Two, taking over from departing presenter Zoe Ball, who announced last month she was leaving after 10 years.
Janette announced the news on Thursday’s edition of The One Show, revealing: “It’s a dream come true to become part of the It Takes Two team! Although it’s impossible to fill in the shoes of a legend like Zoe Ball, I hope to make her and all of the Strictly fans proud.”
She added: “I will miss dancing on that iconic dancefloor weekly, but forever grateful to continue being a part of the Strictly Come Dancing family!”
Janette will be joining current It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark-Neal – who first began co-hosting with Zoe in 2019 – on this year’s series.
During her time on Strictly, Janette has been partnered with fashion designer Julien Macdonald, EastEnders legend Jake Wood, singer Peter Andre, broadcaster Melvin Odoom, JLS star Aston Merrygold, This Morning’s Ranj Singh, Paralympian Will Bayley and pop star HRVY.
Although she’s never lifted the Glitterball trophy, she has won the Strictly Christmas special on two occasions – with Melvin and Aston – and made it to last year’s final with HRVY.
Strictly Come Dancing is expected to return to our screens in the autumn for a full 13-week run, after last year’s series had to be cut short due to the pandemic.
Janette is married to Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec, who will remain with the show in 2021.