Janette Manrara shares heartbreaking family loss as Strictly star reflects on ‘really tough’ grief
Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara, 41, has spoken candidly about a heartbreaking loss that has been “really tough” on her family.
The dancer and It Takes Two host, who welcomed her daughter Lyra with husband and Strictly pro Aljaz Skorjanec last year, was faced with the bereavement over the summer.
Manrara revealed her family entered a difficult period when they had to say goodbye to their beloved Doberman, Naako, earlier this year in Miami.
She discussed the tragic loss while appearing on Walking The Dog with Emily Dean podcast in September.
The 41-year-old shared shared: “I grew up with dogs. We had a beautiful Doberman, Naako. Unfortunately, we just had to say goodbye to him this summer, which is really tough on the family.”
The American-born dancer’s experience with dogs dates back to her childhood in the US, where she developed a strong affection for canine companions, and would be keen to replace the sorely missed Naako.
“We almost got one a couple of months ago and I had to put on the brake,” Manrara admitted.
The couple, who met on Strictly Come Dancing, have been contemplating getting a dog but have decided to wait until their family circumstances are more settled.
Manrara explained their current lifestyle makes it impractical to have a pet: “It’s because we travel so much and we’re away a lot for work and between London and living up North I feel like the poor thing will probably live a lot in doggy hotels and not with us and it doesn’t feel right just yet.”
Looking ahead, Manrara remains optimistic about welcoming a dog into their family once their daughter begins school.
“I think once Lyra starts school, because we’ll have to be settled and have to be in one spot, that will be when we can get a dog,” she said.
The Strictly star expressed her enthusiasm for the future addition: “When we see dogs, they’re just man’s best friend, aren’t they? They’re just such beautiful things.”
She added that she has specific hopes for her daughter’s relationship with their future pet: “I would love for Lyra to have an affection for her little friends. So we definitely will.”
New parents Manrara and Skorjanec remain devoted to their daughter Lyra Rose, who turned one in July.
Lyra was described as a “miracle baby” by Manrara after she was conceived naturally following years of attempts and as she was about to begin IVF.
During his celebrated run on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing with Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, the proud father dedicated one of routines to his daughter.
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Skorjanec and Ghouri’s dedicated their American Foxtrot, which earned the first perfect 40 scores of the series, to Slovenian dancer’s baby daughter.
“For Lyra,” they said in unison.
During the routine, eagle eyed fans also spotted lights making up a huge lit-up heart in the background begin to dorm a simple geometric pattern – mimicking the Lyra star constellation.