Janette Manrara has revealed her feelings about missing out on the presenting role for Strictly Come Dancing. When long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed from their positions on the BBC programme, speculation was widespread regarding their replacements.
Despite many believing it could be Janette, who had been a professional on the show before departing to present spin-off programme It Takes Two, it emerged that she was unsuccessful after auditioning for the position. The role instead went to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
Heartbroken over missed role
During Thursday's edition of This Morning (October 15), Janette discussed with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley how she processed the rejection while outlining her fresh acting career direction. She departed It Takes Two this year, with Ellie Taylor now at the helm.
Ben noted how Janette has been candid about feeling 'heartbroken' over not securing the position previously. She replied: "Yeah, I've talked about it on Jamie Laing's podcast, it was (tough) because Strictly was such a huge part of my life, I was there for almost 14 years."
"Aljaz is still in the show, so I just hoped that it would go in that way for me. But, it didn't, and that's ok because I think life finds a way of still giving you that magic that is needed for you. I really wanted to act. I had been working on my acting skills for the last couple of years, actually."
New acting direction
She continued: "Then, I did Roxie Hart in Chicago on tour, and I got the bug for serious acting, so I really started to push that narrative. I think life has a funny way of closing one door and opening another, and that's exactly what happened."
"Now I watch Strictly and watch Aljaz and everybody on the show, and I'm just buzzing for them. I've been there, and I know how exciting that feeling is."
Family and planning
The 42-year-old discussed how she manages bringing up her three-year-old daughter alongside her hectic career, particularly with Aljaz featuring on the BBC programme. She informed the This Morning hosts that she has an "amazing" family who rally around them.
She added: "As long as you plan, if you've got a plan and you need the village. Between the two things, you can make it work. Aljaz has no clue, by the way, he just says, 'Where is she today and who's got her?'"
"He's an amazing dad. At the moment, obviously, he's left the competition now with Melanie (Walters). He's sad about leaving the show, but he's also super happy because he's going to spend so much time with her now, which is nice."
Aljaz and his celebrity partner Melanie Walters departed the BBC programme last weekend after failing to wow the judges in the dance-off when they clashed with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
This Morning continues weekdays on ITV from 10am. Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays on October 17 from 6:15pm.
