Aljaz Skorjanec has sent a gushing public message about his wife, Janette Manrara, as he watched her take on her new stage role in the world premiere of Affluenza at Riverside Studios in London. The show comes months after Janette confirmed she had left her role as host of Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off series It Takes Two.
From Strictly to the Stage
Janette joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2013, alongside her now-husband Aljaz, before leaving in 2020. The following year, she took over from Zoe Ball as host of It Takes Two, Strictly's weekday spin-off, alongside Rylan Clark and, later, Fleur East.
After months of speculation about changes for Strictly's 2026 series, which got underway last month, Janette confirmed in June that she had left the spin-off series in a video posted on her YouTube account. She has since spoken about her heartbreak at missing out on becoming the host of the main show.
Opening Night at Riverside Studios
The press night for Affluenza took place on Monday night (October 5). The play, set in the Hamptons, follows the fallout from a teenager's drunken car ride that ends in devastation and explores moral accountability, family legacy and the generational cost of privilege. Janette stars alongside Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, who makes his stage debut, as well as stage and screen stars Juliet Cowan and Wallis Currie-Wood.
On Tuesday (October 6), Aljaz took to his Instagram page with a photo from the evening. He wrote: "I cannot explain how special yesterday was for me. I was (excited, nervous, sweaty, happy, worried) as I was on my way to @riversidestudioslondon to watch the opening of @affluenzaplay …"
Proud Husband and Support from Strictly Stars
He continued: "I got to watch my @jmanrara share the stage with some of the most talented actors I’ve ever had the privilege to watch on stage. To see my Bučka up there with them, looking COMPLETELY at home in something that’s SO NEW to her made me so proud. I am in AWE of you..Honestly! If you can, please go see it! The whole thing is BRILLIANT! #proudhusband GETTTT INNNN."
Former Strictly host Tess Daly, who was joined by daughter Phoebe Kay when watching the show, replied: "She’s BRILLIANT," while former pro Karen Hauer, who was also in the audience, said: "She was incredible." Aljaz, who is currently taking part in Strictly alongside Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, was among several Strictly stars supporting Janette at the performance.
