Strictly favourite Janette Manrara addresses future of hosting role amid new presenter rumours

Amid a flurry of exits from Strictly Come Dancing, a question mark had been placed over the futures of It Takes Two hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East.

It had been claimed that the hosts of the companion series had been axed, though the BBC said in a statement it was "factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed".

While neither presenter has addressed the claims head on, during a recent interview on BBC Breakfast, Manrara ensured to not reveal too much about what announcements are to come from Strictly later this year.

Asked whether fans could expect her return this autumn, Manrara said: "I don't know, we'll have to wait and find out. I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so we'll see what happens… That's showbiz!"

As for what she could say in regards to the show, the professional dancer said: “Strictly is definitely coming back, we can say that. I'm assuming we'll have a couple of new professionals and a couple of new presenters as well.

“We're (she and husband Aljaž Škorjanec) very lucky, the show has given us this beautiful platform to be able to go off and do the tours that we do and we don't take it for granted.”

She continued: “And in my opinion, and I think Aljaž will agree, it's the best entertainment show on telly and I'm just so happy that it's been a part of our lives for so many years. We were just dating when we started the show and during the show we got married, we became parents and it's just been phenomenal."

Her comments come after Strictly confirmed four of its professional dancers would not be returning later this year.

Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have all exited the series, with more announcements expected in due course.

At the time of reporting, the official professionals line-up is yet to be announced by the BBC, along with who will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

It’s safe to say the presenting gig could be truly anyone’s, with Alison Hammond recently saying she could never be “too busy” for the entertainment programme.

After initially telling Radio Times she had been approached for the Strictly job, Hammond was rather pessimistic about taking on the role.

"I’m so busy, babes, that I’m not sure it’s going to happen," she revealed. "It’s unrealistic. I’m so happy they considered me but, like Traitors, I can’t do it because everything clashes."

She added: "I would have loved to have done it – anybody that gets it, they’re going to land the perfect job. But I’m so happy with everything I’ve got. What would I drop, to do Strictly?"

But now, Hammond has backtracked on those initial comments, telling Metro: "Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along? Who would turn down Strictly! They’d be absolutely crazy.

"I was trying to back them off because ultimately everyone keeps putting my name in the mix and they’re ruining my chances of even getting on to Strictly, d’you know what I mean? You all need to stop talking about it because I need to get in.

"I’m not too busy, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been before. I can do Strictly. I can do it all. All these people saying, 'I’m too busy, and I can’t do it'... I could do Strictly. Let’s put that on the record."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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