Sarah Jayne Dunn has been left devastated after missing out on a place in this year's Strictly Come Dancing lineup, despite being in talks with the BBC One series. The former Hollyoaks star, who played Mandy Richardson from 1996 to 2021, had openly expressed her desire to join the show and had been "manifesting" a spot.
Confirmation of Exclusion
Taking to Instagram, Dunn confirmed she would not be appearing on the upcoming series. She wrote: "Well, this chapter didn't end the way I'd hoped. Of course I'm disappointed. I wanted this more than I can put into words." Despite the setback, she emphasized the importance of voicing dreams: "But if this journey has taught me anything, it's that saying your dreams out loud isn't something to be embarrassed about. It's brave. It's vulnerable."
Continued Manifestation
Dunn expressed resilience, stating: "So no, I won't be stepping onto the dancefloor this year. But I also won't be quietly talking myself out of the possibility that one day I will. Dreams don't always arrive on our timeline. That doesn't mean they're over." She concluded: "Manifesting continues… just with a different date."
Previous Hopes
Earlier, Dunn had reacted to Good Morning Britain discussing her as a rumored contestant, saying: "Manifesting Strictly Week 15!! There's something really vulnerable about saying out loud that you want something this much." She added: "I've wanted this for such a long time… because I know I would absolutely love every second of it. The challenge, the dancing, the nerves, the glamour, all of it."
Confirmed Lineup
This year's confirmed Strictly stars include EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, and Chris Appleton. The show continues to generate excitement as more names are expected to be announced.
