Amid rumours and departures, Janette Manrara says Strictly will return, hinting at new professionals and possibly new presenters—while urging fans to wait for official updates.
Amid a wave of changes around Strictly Come Dancing, Janette Manrara has been carefully answering questions about what viewers should expect from the show later this year—without giving away any definite plans.
The immediate buzz has centred on It Takes Two, Strictly’s companion programme.. Reports suggested the hosts may have been axed. but Misryoum understands the BBC has said such claims are “factually incorrect.” Manrara has not directly addressed any rumours. yet her recent remarks on BBC Breakfast managed to confirm one thing with confidence: Strictly is coming back.
When asked whether fans could expect her to return in the autumn, Manrara’s tone was neither dismissive nor revealing.. “I don’t know. we’ll have to wait and find out. ” she said. describing the wider team as being “on standby.” The subtext was clear enough for viewers who have followed her journey from contestant-style nerves to consistent front-of-camera experience: anything beyond “wait and see” is still in motion behind the scenes.
What she did share, however, was a framework for what the upcoming season could look like.. Manrara said Strictly will definitely be back. and she expects a blend of continuity and renewal—“a couple of new professionals and a couple of new presenters as well.” It’s a line that lands with fans because it doesn’t pretend the show will remain untouched.. Instead, it suggests producers are preparing for a refreshed format while keeping the brand identity intact.
That balance matters right now because Misryoum is watching the fallout from Strictly confirming four professional dancers will not be returning later this year.. Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas are all exiting the series, with further announcements expected.. Even without the full official line-up. the message is that this season won’t be a simple rerun—casting changes inevitably lead viewers to wonder whether the presenting roles will shift too.
The uncertainty is also stirring bigger conversations about what viewers want from the show.. Hosting isn’t just a job title; it shapes how audiences experience the emotional beats—training stories. couples’ nerves. the backstage texture that turns dance into narrative.. In that sense, Manrara’s careful wording reads like a professional protecting the show’s pace and production schedule.. It also reassures viewers that the companion programme and its hosts are part of the overall Strictly ecosystem. not separate from it.
Why “new presenters” talk is accelerating now
Manrara’s comments, though cautious, fit that reality.. By acknowledging the likelihood of new faces both among professionals and presenters. she’s aligning expectations with how television franchises typically evolve.. There’s also a subtle reassurance for fans who care about continuity: even with shake-ups. the “platform” Strictly has provided—her tours with Aljaž Škorjanec. and the wider career runway—has been framed as something the show built over years. not something being casually replaced.
The hosting question isn’t only Strictly’s
Alison Hammond recently added to that momentum.. She initially sounded doubtful about taking on the role, saying she was too busy and that other commitments clash.. Later. she shifted the tone with a stronger insistence that she could do it. urging people to stop treating her as too unavailable.. It’s a move that fits the current media rhythm: first skepticism, then correction, then a push to be considered.
What viewers can realistically expect next
The practical impact of all this is simple: fans are being asked to stay patient while production decisions settle.. But the emotional impact is bigger.. Strictly isn’t only entertainment for many viewers—it’s a seasonal ritual that tracks life changes in real time.. Manrara’s personal reflection—how the show ran alongside major milestones—lands because it reminds people why the presenters matter so much.. The faces on screen aren’t just there for interviews; they become part of the viewer’s yearly storyline.
For now, the smartest takeaway is also the most human one: even a beloved programme has to evolve.. With professional exits confirmed and presenter rumours swirling. Strictly’s next chapter is being shaped as much by logistics as by audience expectation.. And if Manrara is right that “new presenters” are part of the plan. the coming announcements may be less about replacing what fans love and more about widening the show’s future while keeping its familiar heart.