Janette Manrara announces she's LEAVING Strictly after 8 years
But we'll still see her on our screens!
Strictly Come Dancing professional Janette Manrara has announced that she's stepping down as a competitor from the show after eight years. The 37-year-old, who is married to fellow Strictly dancer AljaĹľ Ĺ korjanec, revealed on The One Show that she'll no longer be appearing on the show.
But it's not all bad news, as the dancer is leaving in order to accept the role as co-host on Strictly's spin-off show, It Takes Two, along with Rylan Clark-Neal!
She told Alex Jones and Ronan Keating: "One of my favourite parts of doing Strictly has always been to sit down on that couch and just chat away. It's the most fun. I remember meeting Zoe, gosh that was eight years ago now when I did the first It Takes Two sit-down.
"I was thinking, 'This is the coolest job ever. You get to sit down, talk about dancing, make people feel good and celebrate their successes on the show'. I did say, 'One day I would love to do that', and it's here, here we are!"
Although the role is a dream come true for Janette, who made it to the Strictly final last year with singer HRVY, she admitted the "hardest part of accepting this honour" was leaving the dancing behind.
Scroll through to see which celebs are rumoured for Strictly 2021:
Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has been an integral part of the team during the Coronavirus pandemic, but if rumours are anything to go by, Strictly bosses are doing everything in their power to sign him up for the 2021 series.
Vicky McClure
Following the popularity and success of Line of Duty, main actress Vicky McClure has been linked to the 2021 series of Strictly. According to the bookies, Vicky is 11/10 to join the show.
Gregory Piper
Another Line of Duty star rumoured to switch the cop cars for the dancefloor is Gregory Piper, who played the role of PC Ryan Pilkington in the hit drama.
Perri Kiely
Diversity star and KISS FM Breakfast presenter Perri Kiely recently confessed he'd love to take part on the show. Speaking to Digital Spy, the former BGT winner said: "If it was on a technical level, that would be horrendous, so I'd definitely love to give it a go. But I'm not sure people would see that. They'd probably see an unfair advantage. People thought I was cheating on Dancing on Ice, let alone Strictly Come Dancing."
Tom Malone Jr
After leaving Gogglebox earlier this year, Tom Malone Jr has expressed his interest in appearing on Strictly. He told the Express: "If the opportunity came up to go on Strictly as a contestant, I've never done Ballroom in my life, so it'd be interesting to see how as someone who breaks."
Munroe Bergdorf
Model Munroe Bergdorf has revealed she wants to make history by becoming Strictly Come Dancing's first ever transgender contestant.
She told the Make It Reign podcast: "I've always said that 'Strictly' is the only one that I've got a desire to do. I've got a plan. I want to get everything done that I want to achieve, then I can start doing those shows. It's really exciting."
Carrie Symonds
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds has also been a name on the rumour mill. However, judge Shirley Ballas seemed to dismiss these claims recently, telling Metro.co.uk: "99.9999%, it is a family show, it's not a political agenda."
Cheryl
After jumping over to the BBC for The Greatest Dancer, following her stint as a judge on The X Factor, rumours have continuously linked Cheryl to Strictly Come Dancing, so will she appear in 2021?
Tommy Fury
After showcasing his 'moves' on his spin-off show The Boxer and the Ballroom Dancer with Love Island co-star Curtis Pritchard, fans have been urging Strictly to sign up boxer Tommy Fury.
Maya Jama
TV presenter Maya Jama was heavily rumoured for the 2020 series, but after she was a no-show in the line-up, fans are hoping she will make an appearance this year.
Alan Carr
Funny man Alan Carr would make a great addition to the show! Alan appeared on Loose Women last year where he confirmed he'd been asked to take part, so will we see him on the 2021 series?
Michelle Keegan
Since her husband Mark Wright made it into the Strictly final in 2014, every year rumours have been rife that actress Michelle Keegan will sign up.
But Mark set fire to the rumours even further when he took part in Christmas special back in 2019, telling the Radio Times, "Never say never, but I just think her nerves would go to another level."
Over the years, Janette has made it very close to taking the Glitterball Trophy home, but never quite made it. She's danced with the likes of EastEnders' Jake Wood, Peter Andre, JLS' Aston Merrygold, Dr. Ranj Singh and Will Bayley.
Zoe Ball announced she was leaving the show in May 2021 after hosting it for 10 years, writing on Instagram: 'Dance lovers, after 10 joyous years I am waltzing away from It Takes Two,' adding that it was 'time for some new cha cha challenges' while thanking 'the whole Strictly clan... I will miss you all immensely.'
Read more:
Strictly Come Dancing stars who found LOVE on the dancefloor
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: All of the rumoured celebrities