Janette Manrara has been seen uniting some of her former Strictly Come Dancing co-stars, including long-standing host Tess Daly, as she takes on her first major role since leaving the programme.
She was a professional dancer on the BBC One dance show, joining back in 2013, alongside her now-husband Aljaz Skorjanec, before leaving in 2020. However, the following year she took over from Zoe Ball as the host of It Takes Two, Strictly's weekday spin-off show, alongside Rylan Clark and, later, Fleur East.
New role in Affluenza
But, amid a number of changes to Strictly, with the 2026 series recently getting underway, Janette confirmed in June that she had left Strictly's spin-off series in a video posted on her YouTube account and has since spoken about her heartbreak at missing out on becoming the host of the main show.
Before revealing her disappointment, it was in August that Janette revealed she had already landed a new role, as she was confirmed in the cast of the world premiere of Affluenza, which has since begun its performances at Riverside Studios in London as part of the Mainstage Season.
Strictly stars show support
Starring alongside Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, who makes his stage debut, as well as stage and screen stars Juliet Cowan and Wallis Currie-Wood, 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.
The press night for the new play took place on Monday (October 5) night, which is when Janette was reunited with a number of her Strictly pals as they headed out to show their support. As well as proud husband Aljaz, former Strictly host Tess was joined by her daughter, Phoebe Kay, for the evening and she later said: "Genuinely one of the best plays I've seen @riversidestudioslondon @jmanrara incredible!"
Past and current Strictly pros Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Alexis Warr were also in attendance. Casting her verdict, Katya shared photos of herself and Janette on her Instagram Story and said: "Gosh, what can't this woman do! In absolute awe of my friend @jmanrara." She added: "Such an incredible play! @affluenzaplay so gripping and the cast is sensational."
Sharing her verdict, Karen commented: "So proud of you!! @jmanrara Smashed it. I couldn't stop smiling," while Luba echoed: "Well done @jmanrara. So proud of you."
