Janette Manrara has confirmed that she will no longer host the 'Strictly Come Dancing' companion show 'It Takes Two'. The former professional dancer made the announcement to her YouTube followers, suggesting the move is part of a sweeping overhaul of the BBC series.
Manrara's Announcement
Manrara, who joined 'Strictly' as a professional dancer in 2013 before taking over as host of 'It Takes Two' in 2021, stated: "Strictly Come Dancing has changed hugely, and I am no longer a part of 'It Takes Two' or the main show." She added that she would "still be involved in other ways" without providing specific details. Expressing optimism about the future, she said: "It just means that I'm free to pursue and do many other projects that I've always wanted to do and never really thought about doing." Reflecting on her long tenure, she noted: "'Strictly' is all I've known for the last 14 years, so it is a bit like, 'Oh, we're going into a different world, a different space, how are we going to navigate that?'"
History with 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Manrara began her journey as a professional dancer on the main show in 2013. In 2021, she replaced Zoe Ball on 'It Takes Two', initially co-hosting with Rylan. When Rylan left in 2023, singer and DJ Fleur East, a former contestant, became her co-host. It remains unclear whether East will also depart the programme.
Earlier this year, reports from The Sun suggested that both Manrara and East had been dropped as part of a desire for "a completely new look and fresh start for the show," with the pair potentially being "repurposed elsewhere."
Wider Changes at 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Manrara's exit is one of several significant changes ahead of the 2026 series. Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have both left, replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and dancer Johannes Radebe. Several professional dancers have also been axed, including Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tisakkis, and Luba Mushtuk. Gorka Marquez has left to become a judge on the Spanish version of the show.
Mushtuk, whose ten-year journey ended after the annual tour, addressed her departure emotionally: "What I've been saying is that the dance we love has to sometimes come to an end, but that doesn't mean the music stops. It means there are new dances waiting to be discovered, new steps to learn and new stories to tell."
With so many familiar faces departing, the 2026 series of 'Strictly Come Dancing' is shaping up to look significantly different from what audiences have known for years.
