Strictly’s Janette Manrara quits after eight years as she’s announced as new host of It Takes Two

STRICTLY Come Dancing professional Janette Manrara has quit the show after eight years to be the host of spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two.

The 37-year-old will be replacing Zoe Ball, who stood down as presenter in May after a decade.

Sharing her news on The One Show today, she revealed she will be joining Rylan Clark-Neal on the BBC 2 programme on weeknights, while the dancing show is on air.

Discussing her new role, the Cuban-American star, who is married to co-star Aljaž Škorjanec,  admitted she was emotional about no longer taking to the iconic dance floor.

She told hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating: "I will not be dancing. I don't want to well up because I have been welling up a lot today, but that has been the hardest part of accepting this amazing honour to join It Takes Two.

"It's the realisation that I will not be on that legendary Strictly dancefloor any more. But I feel that this is most beautiful and natural progression.

"I am still a part of the Strictly family, I am still going to be seeing my fellow pros all the time and I will keep dancing, as they say.

"I will find a way to keep dancing."

Overcome with an emotion, the dancer continued: "I honestly have to say I am just so excited to be given this opportunity. The quote that keeps coming to mind when I think about it is, 'All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them'. Walt Disney said that.

"My mum and my dad at home and my family back in Miami, they were immigrants from a small Cuban family, they came over and now their daughter is hosting a huge dance show here in the UK.

"They couldn't be prouder. I couldn't feel more privileged to be sharing this with such an awesome group of people."

Janette first joined Strictly in 2013 dancing with Julien MacDonald, she went on to partner with Jake Wood , Peter Andre, Melvin Odoom , Aston Merrygold , Dr Ranj Singh and Will Bayley.

Last year she danced with HRVY and came in second place - her highest ranking.

New professional dancers for the upcoming series are due to be announced near the autumn.

Zoe, 50, announced she was quitting as host in May of this year.

She landed Claudia Winkleman's job in 2011 when she moved over to front the main show with Tess Daly.

In 2019 former This Morning presenter Rylan, 32, began sharing hosting duties with Zoe.

Janette was one of the first to wish Zoe well when she announced her departure.

She commented on her statement: "Oh !! I looked forward to our chats on that couch more then any other part of the week!

"You really are a diamond of a human being and deserve all of the wonderful things that are coming your way! Although you’ll be missed, it’s not “goodbye”, it’s more of a “see ya around”! Love you!"

Eve Winstanley, Executive Producer, It Takes Two said of Janette's announcement: “We are so excited that Janette will be Cha Cha Cha-ing her way into the It Takes Two family. Her love and passion for all things dance will bring something new and fresh to the show.”

Alex McLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime and Early Peak, added: "We know that our viewers are avid fans of Strictly and cannot get enough expert advice, backstage gossip and dancing tips and tricks.  I can't think of anyone better than Janette to do this.  I am so excited that she is joining our It Takes Two family.”