IT TAKES THREE: 'When Aljaž became a dad, I fell in love with him all over again'

Presenter and dancer Janette Manrara invites us into her gorgeous home to talk motherhood and her next chapter

- SARAH MORTON

Janette Manrara, Strictly Come Dancing legend and now bona fide author, interrupts our chat in a hushed whisper, gesturing at the floor. “Oh my gosh, would you look at that?”

There, at her feet, is her beautiful one-year-old daughter, Lyra, curled into a little ball on the soft carpet, sleeping soundly. 

The tot, who Janette shares with her husband, Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec, has been impeccably behaved throughout our exclusive at-home shoot and, up until about 30 seconds before, was cooing and laughing with her doting mum. 

But as we settle down for a cuppa, Lyra’s out for the count. “She couldn’t even wait for her bed,” Janette, 40, laughs. “Too much excitement!”

Indeed it’s been a whirlwind of a day – and month – for Janette, who has just released her new book Tiny Dancer Big World, a self-help manual of sorts that draws from her own life experiences. 

It’s an enlightening, emotional read and Janette, who was a pro dancer on the show between 2013 and 2021, doesn’t hold back when discussing some of the toughest times of her life.

But there’s also a great deal of hope in her words, particularly when talking about Lyra, who she describes as her “biggest motivation to do good in the world”.

It’s clear motherhood is her greatest achievement.  “I just love it,” Janette says. “They always say that the next phase is the best one, but I’m loving right now. Lyra really knows I’m her mum. She calls me Mama, she repeats words. She knows how to say ‘happy’. She’s so magical and inquisitive. She’s a curious soul. I’m just enjoying the journey and watching her develop.”