Janette Manrara has opened up about the emotional challenges of living far from her family in the United States, sharing a tearful tribute to her father on his birthday. The former Strictly Come Dancing professional, who recently left both the main show and its spin-off It Takes Two, posted a video on social media expressing the difficulty of missing special moments with loved ones.
In the video, Manrara said: "Happy Birthday Papi! Tears in my eyes this morning as these kind of moments are harder and harder to deal with/ being so far away." She added that her daughter Lyra is growing up knowing her grandfather "with so much love and joy in her heart," emphasizing that "quality over quantity" matters when they are together.
Strictly Exit and Career Changes
Manrara joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2013 and left that role in 2021 to co-host It Takes Two alongside her husband Aljaz Skorjanec, who continued as a professional dancer. However, last month she confirmed she is "no longer a part" of either show, marking the end of a 13-year association with the franchise.
Her departure is part of a major shake-up for the 2026 series. Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman exited at the end of 2025, and several professional dancers—including Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas—were also cut. In a YouTube video, Manrara said: "Strictly Come Dancing has changed hugely, and I am no longer a part of It Takes Two or the main show. I'll still be involved in other ways. But that just means that I'm free to pursue and do many other projects that I've always wanted to do."
Becoming a British Citizen
Manrara, originally from the United States, has been taking steps to settle permanently in the UK. In December 2025, she revealed she had passed the 'Life in the UK Test,' a mandatory multiple-choice exam for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship. She also passed her driving test at the end of last month after a year-long process, sharing the news on Instagram and confirming she is now looking for a car.
Despite these milestones, Manrara admitted that being away from her family remains difficult. Her heartfelt message to her father highlighted the emotional toll: "You are the most wonderful human being in more ways than you will ever be able to imagine. You guide me through life with so much love, grace, and wisdom, and I am so grateful to have another year around the sun with you in it. I love you Papi, feliz cumpleaños."
