Janette Manrara breaks down in tears as BBC Strictly star shares emotional message about daughter and husband
Janette Manrara struggled to hold back tears in an Instagram post she shared with followers on Monday.
The former BBC Strictly professional dancer, who in recent years has hosted the competition’s spin-off show, It Takes Two, had a message for other working parents as she broke down in tears over her daughter and husband.
The 41-year-old dancer has recently joined the cast of musical classic Chicago, and while she was delighted to land the gig, she displayed the more emotional side that comes with travelling for work.
Manrara will be in Ireland this week for the first scheduled shows, set to take place in Dublin from March 11 to 15.
She’ll then head to Northern Ireland for the Belfast leg of the shows from March 17 to 22.
Having previously shared how she won’t see Strictly husband Škorjanec, 35, or their 20-month-old daughter, Lyra, Manrara was visibly upset as she talked about saying goodbye.
Taking to Instagram Stories on Monday afternoon, the choreographer wiped away tears as she updated fans on how she was missing her family.
She began: “Hi gang. Just said my goodbyes to Aljaž and Lyra, and I won’t see them for two weeks now but sharing is good because it makes us all feel better.”
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She continued in the emotional clip: “And I miss them a lot. It’s the longest I’ll be away from Lyra so just starting to count down to the day I see her again.
“But in the mean time, I’m going to stay strong and know that mummy is making her proud.
“And she is going to have the best time with her cousins and her nan in Slovenia.”
Ending on a motivational note, Manrara concluded: “Anyway, to all the parents that have to say goodbye to their kids for work or for whatever reason, it’s always tough but we’ve got this! We’ve got it.”
Along with the video clip, Manrara penned: “It always makes me feel better to share.
“Hope this also helps other working parents out there. It’s hard but we got this.”
Just last month, the American dancer talked about having to spend time away from her daughter.
Speaking on BBC’s The One Show, she explained the gig “scares me a little bit,” adding: “It’s a long contract and to be away from [Lyra].
“So Aljaž is going to come to as many venues and cities as he possibly can, Blackpool being one them. We’re going to go back to Blackpool with the show.
“I’ve been there only with Strictly so it’ll be interesting to go now with Chicago. But yeah they’re going to come with me as much as possible and I am flying home on days off to just cuddle with her as much as I can.”
Following her shows in Ireland, Manrara is scheduled to return to England for the Bournemouth leg of the Chicago tour.