Strictly Come Dancing pro says 'I want to go back' after surprise departure from show

A Strictly Come Dancing professional has revealed she'd love to come back to the show after her surprise exit.

Janette Manrara hosts the spin-off of Strictly, It Takes Two, alongside Fleur East but she was once a professional dancer on the show. During a chat with head judge tonight, Janette revealed she'd love to dance on the programme again.

When Shirley was asked what she would like to dance to on the show, she suggested she danced with Anton du Beke, before asking Janette if she would dance with her. The professional quickly replied: "I want to go back!"

Fans loved Janette on the show, with the dancer announcing her departure back in 2021, eight years after she first joined the show.

Speaking about her exit at the time, she said: "I'll definitely be an even bigger cheerleader, now I’m not involved. I’ve always been everybody’s cheerleader, but especially of Aljaz because he’s my husband; we’re each other’s biggest fan.

"When I told him I’d got It Takes Two, he was screaming and crying because he knew how big this was for me. Everyone talks about the ‘Strictly curse’, but this show has been a blessing for our relationship because we’ve been able to do everything together."

She added: "So it’s going to be a different dynamic for us but, nonetheless, an exciting one. I’m still gonna be on the sidelines on a Saturday night cheering him and everyone else on - like some kind of Strictly groupie!"

Her husband Aljaz Skorjanec made a return to the series this year, a few series after quitting himself.

He said of making a return: "I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.

"I had an absolute ball during my nine year stint on Strictly, during my time away I became a parent, which has been an exciting challenge in itself and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again. It feels so right to be coming back, I missed the fun, glitter and the judges of course and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud!"

*Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.