Janette Manrara publicly expressed admiration for outgoing Strictly Come Dancing presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, shortly after being identified as one of the leading contenders to replace them as host of the BBC’s flagship entertainment program.
The 41-year-old dancer and television presenter, who transitioned from professional performer to co-host of the spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two in 2021, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Winkleman and Daly during a recent broadcast.
Speaking live on air, Ms. Manrara remarked:
“Tess has presented the show since its very first episode alongside the legendary Sir Bruce [Forsyth]. Claudia originally presented our show before moving over to host the results show alongside Tess in 2010. They’ve both presented the main show and the results show together since 2014. Ladies, we are going to miss you both so much! But, luckily, we still have them for what promises to be the rest of a brilliant series and the Christmas special.”
Her comments followed the official announcement from Winkleman and Daly, who confirmed their joint departure in an emotional social media video on Thursday, ending a hosting partnership that has defined the series for over a decade.
Following their announcement, Ms. Manrara has emerged as a front-runner for the coveted role, with bookmakers reportedly placing her at 3-1 odds. Her long-standing association with the Strictly franchise, insider knowledge of the show’s production, and rapport with both professional dancers and celebrity contestants have all strengthened her candidacy.
Other names reportedly under consideration include Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley, Kevin Clifton, Roman Kemp, and Alex Scott.
Ms. Manrara, born in Miami, Florida, first gained recognition after competing on So You Think You Can Dance USA in 2009, before joining the international stage production Burn the Floor, where she met her future husband and fellow dancer Aljaž Škorjanec. She joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, competing for eight series and earning praise for her creativity, warmth, and choreography.
Her seamless move into television presenting has since solidified her as a prominent face of the Strictly brand, making her a natural successor to the long-serving duo.
In their farewell message, Tess Daly reflected:
“Strictly has been more than just a television program. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004.”
Meanwhile, Claudia Winkleman described her time on the show as “the greatest relationship of my career.”
The BBC is expected to confirm the new hosting lineup ahead of the 2026 series premiere, as the network prepares to usher in a new era for one of its most beloved entertainment franchises.#newsafro_
