(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Former Strictly Come Dancing host Janette Manrara has landed a new role after leaving the BBC show.
The professional dancer and presenter was dropped from her co-hosting role on It Takes Two alongside Fleur East ahead of the new series.
The BBC confirmed that Ellie Taylor would take over the hosting role in a new version of the show.
Strictly host Janette Manrara's new project after exit from BBC show
Janette Manrara and Fleur East have both left Strictly It Takes Two
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Now, the former Strictly host has revealed that she is joining the cast of the world premiere of Affluenza.
Ms Manrara announced the news on Instagram, writing: "I can finally say that I will be joining the cast of the world premiere of AFFLUENZA at Riverside Studios in London.
"I have always loved telling stories — through dance, movement and presenting.
"Now, I get to tell one in a whole new way… and this one is a conversation starter.
"New chapter.
"New challenges.
"Excited for what’s to come."
Affluenza is inspired by true events surrounding a shocking legal defence and explores the ripple effects of power and privilege.
The play will run for a limited eight-week engagement at London’s Riverside Studios from September 26 to November 21.
Following her departure from It Takes Two, Ms Manrara spoke candidly on her YouTube channel about moving on from Strictly.
She said: "Strictly Come Dancing has changed hugely and I am no longer a part of It Takes Two or the main show.
"I’ll still be involved in other ways.
"But that just means that I’m free to pursue and do many other projects that I’ve always wanted to do and never really thought about doing.
"Strictly is all I’ve known for the past 14 years so it is a bit like, 'Oh, we’re going into a different world, a different space, how are we going to navigate that?'"
Who is taking part in Strictly 2026?
The full line-up for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing has now been confirmed by the BBC.
The 15 stars taking to the dance floor are:
- Lacey Turner - EastEnders' Stacey Slater
- Dani Dyer - TV personality (returning after injury in 2025)
- Delta Goodrem - Singer
- Chris Appleton - Hair stylist
- Cach Mercer - Reality TV star
- Will Best - TV and radio host
- Dame Sarah Storey - Britain's most successful Paralympian
- Jaime Winstone - actress
- Bethany Antonia - actress
- Shaun Wright-Phillips - former professional footballer
- Graeme Hall - famous dog trainer
- Lawrence Robb - Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd
- Tabby Stoecker - Team GB skeleton athlete
- John Nellis - football content creator
- Melanie Walters - Gavin and Stacey star
Who will be hosting Strictly 2026?
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
It comes after long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the show after the last series.
All four judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas, will each be returning.
Meanwhile, five pros have left Strictly, and these are:
- Gorka Marquez
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Karen Hauer
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Luba Mushtuk
New dancers Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita join the pros.
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start?
The new series of Strictly will reportedly begin towards the end of September.
Ticket allocation can be applied for via the BBC website, and the first date on the agenda is Saturday, September 26.
However, TV Zone believes the first show will be a pre-recorded programme airing the week prior, on September 19, making this the first week of the competition.
The first results show of the 2026 series will reportedly air a week later on Sunday, October 4.
On November 21, the tickets are for Blackpool Tower Ballroom, suggesting this could be the week that the celebrities head to Lancashire’s iconic venue.
The last date available for ticket requests is Saturday, December 19, which is thought to be the week of the final and the day one couple will raise the Glitterball trophy.
You can enter the ticket draw for Strictly shows via the BBC website (linked above).
The BBC told Newsquest that the pre-recorded Strictly show will be recorded on September 9 but that the release date for this episode has not yet been revealed.
Will you be watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing this year? Let us know in the comments.