Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has paid an emotional goodbye to the show, prompting fans to believe the host of spin-off show It Takes Two will be leaving the role she has held for five years.
The BBC have completely overhauled the hit dancing show, swinging the axe to five professional dancers leaving after main show hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly quit.
Opening up on the "end of an era", Janette said she was feeling "so many emotions" as she thanked fans for their support.
Janette's Goodbye Message
Sharing her goodbye message on social media, Janette wrote: "Last day of the tour and feeling so many emotions. I have loved every moment on stage with our cast and band, and sharing the love of dance and entertainment I have w/ everyone that came along to watch."
She went on: "@aljazskorjanec and I have been doing this together for a long while, but we don’t know when we’ll be on stage like this together again, so tonight will be a VERY special end of an era. THANK YOU for coming, for supporting us all these years, and for being the best audiences we could have ever dreamed of."
In a touching final message, she ended: "It’s never 'goodbye', but instead 'until the next time'. In the mean time, 'there is always time for one…. more… DANCE!'"
Aljaž's Response
Aljaž Škorjanec shared his own message ahead of the upcoming series after he was confirmed to have kept his spot on the show. He uploaded a throwback snap of himself and his wife from a pro dancer photoshoot in 2013.
He wrote: "@jmanrara and I look a couple months younger there. Little did I know then how being a part of @bbcstrictly would change my life for the better FOREVER. Back for my 12th season! Bring it on!!"
He concluded by joking: "My mission is to look exactly like I did in this photo by the time you see me on your screens in autumn."
Other Departures
While Aljaž will once again join up with the show, Gorka Marquez decided to call time on his Strictly dancing career. It is said the decision was a joint call from his family.
Gemma Atkinson made it clear she wasn't the sole reason. Speaking on the pair's podcast, the former Hollyoaks star said: "Well, it wasn't my decision, which I'd like to point out for everyone who's messaged me on Instagram, saying, 'You've finally got what you want now'. Absolutely not," she said.
Gorka joked: "She was happy when I did Strictly because she has her own space." She added: "It was a nice break for me when he was doing it. 10 years is a good round number."
The other dancers not returning are Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
