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Strictly Come Dancing star is forced to pull out of live show hours before taking to the stage

Strictly Come Dancing star is forced to pull out of live show hours before taking to the stage

Daily Mail​23-07-2025
Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara revealed she has been forced to pull out of a live show just hours before taking to the stage on Wednesday.
The professional dancer is currently starring in the UK tour of Chicago and was due to perform at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
But taking to Instagram to share a statement, Janette apologised to fans as she revealed she was 'unwell' and unable to perform.
She wrote: 'It takes a lot for me to miss a show, so to anyone coming to Blackpool tonight, I am deeply sorry.
'I am unwell and must rest to recover quickly and be back on stage.
'The cast is absolutely phenomenal so the show will be as magical as it always is.
'I'm on the mend now and hoping to be back ASAP. Love you all, Jxxx.'
She told the Blackpool Gazette: 'Blackpool's one of my favourite places in the UK. We go there every year with Strictly and it always lands around my birthday, so I've celebrated more birthdays there than anywhere else.
'Normally, I'm here in November, so to explore it in July is a real treat. I definitely want to take the cast to the Tower for afternoon tea and a dance.
'I've told them they have to see the ballroom with the big organ.'
It comes after Janette opened up about her 'struggles' over being away from daughter Lyra and said she had 'never wanted to be home more' amid her 'manic' schedule.
The It Takes Two host, who shares the two-year-old with husband and fellow show dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, 35, has been busy hosting Strictly's Live tour, starring in a production of musical Chicago and will soon embark on a string of shows with her husband.
Speaking about her worries she told The Mirror: '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 Aljaz? What's the plan with Lyra?'.
'Although I am still doing those things, I have had to really kind of consider the schedule and while this year is manic, I've never wanted to be home more now she's in my life. I want to be home now more than ever'.
Janette also said she had her 'fingers crossed' to return as host of the Strictly spin-off alongside Fleur East as the job gave her more time at home, while Aljaz rehearsed with his celeb partner.
She told the publication: '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!''.
Last month Janette wiped away tears in an emotional Instagram post, as she prepared to bid farewell to her husband and their daughter.
She joined the touring cast for the musical Chicago and was heading to Ireland for a string of shows, after her performances at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Janette then headed to Belfast for shows at the Grand Opera House.
The star had previously shared that she won't see Aljaz or Lyra for those two weeks, and instead they're planning to spend time with his family in Slovenia.
In a video posted on her Instagram Stories, Janette revealed she had bid farewell to her family ahead of her tour shows, and shared a message for other working parents.
She said: 'Hi gang. Just said my goodbyes to Aljaž and Lyra, and I won't see them for two weeks now but sharing is good because it makes us all feel better.
'And I miss them a lot. It's the longest I'll be away from Lyra so just starting to count down to the day I see her again.'
'But in the mean time, I'm gonna stay strong and know that mommy is making her proud. And she is gonna have the best time with her cousins and her nan in Slovenia.
'Anyways, to all the parents that have to say goodbye to their kids for work or for whatever reason, it's always tough but we've got this! We've got it.'
Alongside the clip, Janette shared another message for her followers, writing: 'It always makes me feel better to share. Hope this also helps other working parents out there. It's hard but we got this.'
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