4 days ago
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- Edinburgh Live
BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara sends support to co-star after announcement
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Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has sent support to her co-star after a big announcement.
Fans of the BBC show will remember that Janette was a pro dancer on the programme from 2013 to 2020.
She then transitioned to co-hosting the show's popular spin-off, It Takes Two, in 2021, keeping her well and truly within the Strictly family.
The much-loved dancing contest is now just weeks away from making a triumphant return to our TV screens, with viewers eagerly awaiting news of which celebrities will be lighting up the ballroom this year.
While no celebs have been confirmed for the 2025 series as yet, the broadcaster did announce earlier this year which professional dancers will be returning to the dance floor, reports the Express.
(Image: BBC)
For the upcoming series, professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk will once again grace the floor.
They'll be joined by Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaz Skorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
Alongside the confirmation of the professional line-up, it was also disclosed that two completely new professional dancers will be making their first appearance.
The fresh faces have now been announced as So You Think You Can Dance winner Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon from Australia's Dancing With The Stars
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Whilst the roster of professional dancers who will be matched with celebrities on this year's Strictly Come Dancing stays secret, Gorka Marquez has confirmed he won't be amongst them.
The dancer has accepted a judging position on Spain's version of the programme, preventing him from taking part in the UK series.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (August 8), the 34-year-old wrote: "I am happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September."
He clarified that owing to the filming timetable, he would not partner with a celebrity on Strictly this year, but would take part in group performances, as well as returning for the closing weeks to cheer on his fellow professionals and their famous partners.
(Image: BBC)
"As always thank you for all The love and support and remember! Keep dancing!!!" he concluded.
Gorka's statement was greeted with a flood of encouragement from his colleagues.
Janette Manrara reshared his post on her Instagram Story, commenting: "We'll miss you!" while Jowita Przystal praised him, writing: "Congratulations!!"
Johannes Radebe responded with: "Congrats papi," whilst Nikita Kuzmin and Lauren Oakley demonstrated their backing with heart and clapping emojis.
Strictly 2024 contestant Tasha Ghori shared her delight: "Congratulations gorka!!!" whilst his latest dance partner Dr Punam Krishan added: "Super proud of you Gorka, huge congratulations."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn
