Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara in tears over career change this year
Strictly Come Dancing star and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara said she was in tears when she found out about her new career change.
This year, the 41-year-old who is married to fellow Strictly professional Aljaž Škorjanec, is appearing in Chicago as she 'dips her toes into musical theatre'.
Janette, who shares daughter Lyra with Aljaž, has opened up on the 'added curve ball' of starring in the musical, along with her other TV jobs, as she's set for a busy year.
It comes as she recently completed another Strictly Live tour and prepares for 'A Night to Remember' 19-date UK tour with her husband from next month.
Speaking to The Mirror, the presenter revealed: 'I'm used to doing It Takes Two and the Strictly Live Tour and then, you know, a tour with Aljaž.
'The only added curve ball in there is that I'm doing Chicago and dipping my toes into musical theatre.'
She added: "So when the opportunity in the contract came through, it was too good to say no to because it was one of my favourite musicals ever, and I've been wanting to do it for such a long time.
'I cried the day that I got the job! So I couldn't turn it down, I couldn't say no to it."
Commenting on her childcare worries ahead of taking on a hectic schedule, Janette continued: 'So it was more about Lyra. Is she going to be okay? Is she going to be at home? Is she going to be with Aljaž? What's the plan with Lyra?
'And then number two, I kind of put the horse blinds on and I just go. I remind myself, 'It's this one big, hectic year, but all of the things that I'm doing, I'm immensely happy about doing.'
'The Strictly Live Tour, Chicago (obviously a huge dream come true), dancing with Aljaž again."
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Revealing what she hopes to be doing towards the end of 2025, including returning to host Strictly's It Takes Two, she shared: 'And then, fingers crossed, I'll be back with Fleur at the end of the year on It Takes Two.
"At the end of the year, oddly enough, when Aljaž is getting busier, that's when it slows down for me.
'Because now, if I'm back, I'll have It Takes Two, two or three days a week and then the rest of the time I can be at home with Lyra. That's like my time to be mummy."
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