Former Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has shared some exciting career news on her Instagram account. The dancer first joined the BBC dance show in 2013 and appeared on our screens until 2020.
Janette turned to presenting after leaving Strictly Come Dancing. in 2021, it was announced she would become the new presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, taking over from Zoe Ball. While on the show, Janette formed a relationship with her husband and former co-star Aljaz Skorjanec. The couple originally met in 2010 on the set of live dance show ‘Burn the Floor’.
They have an age gap of six years and have been married to each other since 2017. Aljaz and Janette welcomed their first daughter together in 2023, called Lyra Rose.
Janette has shared an “exciting” update to social media. She wrote on Instagram today: “Very excited for what’s arrived in the mail today! The paperback edition of my book #TinyDancerBIGworld! It comes out September 15th!
“Still pinch myself at the thought that I’m an author. This book is NOT an autobiography, but a shared conversation on how to try to lead a more fulfilled life, while chasing your biggest dreams.”
She added: “After gaining my well-being certification, I wanted to do something that truly helped others; a real passion project of love, kindness, and courage. I wrote it while pregnant w/ Lyra, and now as a mother, never before have all the tools I share in this book felt more relevant.”
The TV presenter asked fans to leave their thoughts on the book in the comments. The book was originally published in September 2024. The book isn’t just about her time on Strictly, she also had appearances on US series So You Think You Can Dance.
Janette and Aljaz shared a special occasion together in July. In a joint post uploaded by Janette and Aljaz, it said: “Happy Anniversary.
“Life has been so busy this year with work, the move, and of course raising our little sunshine Lyra, but we have managed it all so well. We’ve been a true team through it all.
“One night away for just the two of us, to remind ourselves of the beautiful day we got married, was exactly what we needed.” The couple are staying in the same hotel of their wedding night.
Aljaz is still a dancer on Strictly, He originally joined Strictly in 2013 and was part of the professional line-up up to 2021, he returned to the show last year.
Janette has been open about her close family bond with husband Aljaž Škorjanec and daughter Lyra. Only a matter of weeks ago, the dancer revealed she was feeling “scared” over the prospect of being away from her child.
The family released a short film about their family life in March and wrote on social media: “In celebration of Mother’s Day, such a special day of the year, we are thrilled to be releasing a short film for all to see. It has been a passionate topic for us for quite some time.
Janette added that the film means a lot to the couple and they had been nervous about releasing it. They said: “We are hoping us sharing our reality will give some support to parents out there who need a reminder that there is no one way system to raising a child, and that we are all doing our best.”