Strictly's Janette Manrara admits 'it scares me' in candid family admission

Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has opened up about the emotional challenges of balancing motherhood and her career.

The It Takes Two presenter, who welcomed her daughter Lyra in July 2023

with husband Aljaž Škorjanec, is now preparing for an exciting new chapter—her musical theatre debut in Chicago.

However, as she embarks on the UK tour, Janette admitted she feels “scared” about spending time away from her baby.

Janette’s Big Career Move

Away from her television work and new journey as a mother, Janette is stepping into the world of musical theatre.

She is set to play the iconic role of Roxie Hart in the Chicago UK tour, performing across more than 20 venues in the UK and Ireland. The role was previously played by Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes.

Janette’s transition from professional dancer to TV presenter and now musical theatre performer showcases her versatility and passion for entertainment. However, this career move comes with a bittersweet challenge—being apart from her young daughter.

Speaking Out on The One Show

Ahead of the tour, Janette appeared on The One Show, where hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Jones wasted no time in asking how she felt about leaving her daughter while traveling for work.

Roman inquired, “You and Aljaž just finished the Strictly tour. Is he and your daughter Lyra going to be coming down?”

Janette responded candidly, revealing her concerns: “That’s what kind of not worries me but scares me a little bit because it’s a long contract and to be away from her.”

She went on to explain that Aljaž would be joining her whenever possible, including during the Blackpool leg of the tour, which holds special significance for her.

“Aljaž is going to come to as many venues and cities as he possibly can, Blackpool being one of them,” she said. “We’re going to go back to Blackpool and I’ve been there only with Strictly, so it’ll be interesting to go now with Chicago.”

Janette also reassured fans that she would make every effort to see her daughter despite the demanding schedule. “They’re going to come with me as much as possible and I’m flying home on days off just to cuddle with her as much as I can.”

Alex Jones then commented, “It’s the balance, isn’t it?” to which Janette agreed.

Welcoming Baby Lyra: A Special Moment

Janette and Aljaž, one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most beloved couples, announced the arrival of their daughter Lyra Rose Skorjanec in a heartfelt social media post. The couple shared a black-and-white photo featuring their first family portrait, marking the start of their journey as parents.

The news was met with an outpouring of love from their celebrity friends and Strictly family.

Ashley Roberts commented: “Lyra Rose is here!!!” followed by “So beautiful!!! Love you!!!”

James Jordan expressed his happiness, writing: “So happy for you both. Sending love from the Jordans.”

Gemma Atkinson simply described the moment as “Just wonderful.”

Gorka Márquez added: “So gorgeous.”

Their daughter’s arrival was a joyous moment for the couple, who have openly shared their journey into parenthood with their fans.

Finding the Balance Between Career and Motherhood

As Janette prepares to take center stage in Chicago, she is navigating the challenges that many working parents face—balancing professional ambitions with family life. Her honesty about feeling nervous about leaving her daughter resonates with many parents who struggle with similar emotions when returning to work.

Despite her fears, Janette is determined to make it work. She will ensure that Aljaž and Lyra join her whenever possible and will take every opportunity to travel home during breaks.

Her journey highlights the emotional reality of balancing career aspirations with the responsibilities of being a parent. As she takes on the role of Roxie Hart, fans will no doubt admire not only her talent but also her dedication to her family.