Star of Strictly Janette Manrara opened up in a new interview about her struggles after she chose to leave the show.

The Cuban-American presenter became a professional dancer on Strictly in 2013 and remained on the show until she quit the main show in 2021.  She currently hosts co-hosts Strictly’s It Takes Two alongside former contestant Fleur East.

However, while she chose to leave Strictly, she admits the decision came with its challenges.

Janette Manrara was ‘not working’ after Strictly

During a new interview with the Express, Janette, who is married to fellow dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, admitted that she was “not working” during the pandemic.

“It was a scary time for all of us and especially anybody involved in the theatre and entertainment world,” she revealed, adding, “I was not working at all. Thank God for Strictly coming back that year.”

Janette stated she had “a lot of anxiety, stress and nervousness.” As a result, her friend and former Strictly contestant Ashley Roberts recommended that she take a well-being course.

After gaining her certification, Janette began to apply those sessions to her own life.

“When I was about to turn 40, writing a book started to make its way to me. And I thought, ‘Do you know what this is the book I want to write,’” she continued.

“I want to help people, I want people to understand why our mind functions the way it does, and have tools they can apply daily. Easy, simple things that they can do to lead a little bit more of a fulfilled life.”

Janette’s book, Tiny Dancer, which was released on Thursday (September 12), focuses on four topics: Acceptance, Reflection, The Work and Discovery.

‘I cannot believe the day has arrived!’

On the release of her book, Janette expressed her excitement in an Instagram post.

“I cannot believe the day has arrived! Feeling so much love and light in my heart!” she wrote in her caption.

“If you have pre-ordered the book, THANK YOU! If you have come to my book events, or will be coming to one of my book events, THANK YOU!! I am so humbled by all of you and your support.”

Read more: Janette Manrara addresses struggles with Strictly pro husband Aljaz Skorjanec: ‘It’s very difficult’

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Host of Strictly Claudia Winkleman has revealed the physical makeover she endures every year when the BBC show begins.

The new 2024 series of Strictly kicks off tonight (September 14) where the 15 celebrities find out who they have been paired with this year. Claudia’s co-host Tess Daly will also be returning for another slice of the action.

Strictly host Claudia Winkleman fake tans herself until Christmas

As the show celebrates its 20th anniversary, Claudia was asked about how it feels to be a part of Strictly’s special milestone.

“It feels a total honour and privilege. I love working on Strictly so much. I start getting excited in July,” she revealed.

Claudia added that as soon as September hits, she begins to undergo a physical makeover.

“The fake tanning starts in earnest on September 1st and there’s no let up until Christmas,” she admitted.

When questioned what being a part of the Strictly team meant to her, Claudia said it was like “family to me.”

She continued: “So many of the same people who work on the show have been there for years so we all know each other really well. It also means family in the sense that people watch the show with their grandparents or young kids. It’s always felt like a snow globe of a show to me and it’s basically saying “Christmas is coming” and this can only be a good thing in my world.”

Claudia used ‘gravy granules’ to tan during The Traitors

When Claudia couldn’t get her hands on some fake tan while filming BBC’s The Traitors, she found an unusual substitute.

“I didn’t have my normal fake tan there because I was in the castle, so what I thought was, ‘Let’s just use something!’,” she revealed, adding, “I don’t think I’m allowed to say a brand, but it was gravy granules.”

The TV star had already undergone a spray tan before filming the show. However, by episode five, she realised she was due a top-up.

“You’re wearing tweed, but what else do you need? Gravy granules,” she joked.

Read more: Inside Tess and Claudia’s troubled return to Strictly – from ‘panic talks’ to fears over future of show

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Ben Fogle is a firm favourite on the box – but he and his wife have had their fair share of tragedies over the years.

The presenter – who is fronting Scotland’s Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle today (September 15) – shot of fame in the 2000s, and has become a much-loved TV star since.

However, throughout his life, the adventurer has suffered several moments of heartbreak and tragedy. But when did Ben “nearly die?”? And what happened when he almost lost his wife?

Ben Fogle and wife Marina’s stillborn son

Ben shares a son, Ludo, and a daughter, Iona, with his wife Marina. However, in 2014, the couple tragically lost their third child, Willem, when he was stillborn at 33 weeks.

At the time, Ben was in Canada while his partner was in Austria visiting her family. Sadly, the TV star was unable to get to his wife in time.

Appearing on Loose Women in March 2021, Marina explained she was taken into hospital after falling ill. After being examined by doctors, she was told she was suffering from placental abruption.

Ben said: “It was hard. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for being in Canada and being so helpless.”

Ben Fogle ‘nearly lost’ his wife

Ben has also shared how he briefly had to come to terms with the idea he was about to also lose his wife.

He revealed the same year: “The thought of life without her was unbearable. I think we all assume that everything is going to be straightforward and will just go ahead as normal, but it was a huge shock in every sense.

“And actually the bigger thing, which I haven’t really spoken about, is I very nearly lost my wife. She very nearly died.”

Things were so touch and go, said Ben, that she was just minutes away from losing her life as doctors battled to save her.

“For her to have come within 20 minutes of dying was a huge bolt for me. And was so terrifying I can’t even explain it.”

Ben Fogle had in near-death experience walking his dog

Earlier this year, Ben revealed that he “nearly died” while walking his dog, following a shock near-accident. The TV star was almost hit by a delivery van near his home in the village of Fawley outside Henley, Oxfordshire.

Ben recounted the ordeal on Instagram, admitting his “life flashed before his eyes”.

He said: “I nearly died yesterday. Not on Everest or in some remote jungle. Not on an ocean or in a desert, but on a small single-track lane outside my home in rural Oxfordshire.

“Given the things I have done and the risks I have taken, it feels a little ironic that my own near-death experience should happen so close to home. Let me explain…”

He then explained how a delivery driver “careered around a blind bend, threw on its brakes and skidded to a halt just a few feet from me and my dog”.

Ben then issued a plea for the council to reduce the 60mph speed limit to 20mph.

Ben Fogle’s wife Marina quizzed by social services

In August this year, the wife of Ben Fogle, Marina, revealed she was quizzed by social services over claims she shouted “unacceptable verbal abuse” at her two young children.

The mum of two spoke out about the incident, which took place in 2013, days after Kirstie Allsopp suffered a similar fate after letting her 15-year-old son go InterRailing on his own.

Writing in her newspaper column, Marina explained she was left feeling sick and furious by the allegations. They were made in a letter when her son Ludo and daughter Iona were three and four years old. They are both now teenagers.

The claims came as the family returned from a holiday. But before Marina could call social services herself to make it clear a mistake had been made on the part of whoever made the allegations, she received two guests.

Marina added: “My children spent 20 minutes showing off their Lego and toys.

“After which I was told that clearly there wasn’t an issue. And she hoped that I understood why they’d needed to investigate. Of course, I understand. Many tip-offs such as these are genuine and result in the removal of children who need to be safeguarded from their families. But sometimes they get it wrong.”

Scotland’s Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle airs on Sunday (September 15) at 11:30am on BBC One.

Read more: Lives in the Wild star Ben Fogle on his son’s tragic stillbirth

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