The presenter first joined the BBC dance show as a professional in 2013
The presenter first joined the BBC dance show as a professional in 2013
Janette Manrara has shared some “big news” ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing live final this weekend. The It Takes Two presenter announced she has passed her Life in the UK test. The test is a crucial step for individuals applying for British citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The Life in the UK test is a computer-based test that was introduced in 2005 for citizenship applications and 2007 for ILR applications. Individuals are tested on information in the official handbook for the Life in the UK Test and are advised to study in preparation for the test by learning the material in the book, which covers UK history, the British government, UK geography, culture and customs.
Janette opened up on her delight of passing the test, sharing a video to Instagram, she said: This [the test] is the only thing that I needed to do to now really start my paperwork process to become a British citizen. So I passed the test, I am so excited.
“It was hard, I probably know a lot more British history and British culture than I ever expected to know but it’s cool, I kind of love history anyway. It was harder than I thought but I really enjoyed learning but I am going to be a Brit, can you believe it?”
The Strictly star is from Miami and is born to Cuban parents. She first joined Strictly as a professional dancer in 2013 and was paired with fashion designer Julien Macdonald, but the couple bowed out in week four. In 2014, she teamed up with EastEnders star Jake Wood and made it all the way to the Semi Final.
2015 saw Janette partner with Peter Andre and make it all the way to week 10, they earned a respectable 31 points for their American Smooth, but an early exit during the Quickstep-a-thon sealed their fate. The following year partnered with Melvin Odoom in 2016 saw her cast out of the competition in week one.
She appeared on the dancefloor until 2020, this proved to be Janette’s most successful year on the as she reached the final with popstar HRVY. 2021 saw a new side of the dancer, as she turned her hand to presenting BBC daytime show Morning Live. This year she is co-hosting Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.
Janette found love with fellow Strictly dancer, Aljaz Skorjanec. The two met in 2010 at a dance studio in London and worked on the dance show ‘Burn the Floor’ together. The dancers tied the knot in 2017 after seven years together.
The couple have one daughter together, daughter Lyra. The presenter welcomed daughter Lyra back in July 2023. She spoke about the relationship she has with her daughter and partner earlier this year.
In an emotional Instagram story posted by Janette before heading out on tour with the Chicago production, Janette wiped tears away from her eyes, she said: “Hi gang. Just said my goodbyes to Aljaz and Lyra, and I won’t see them for two weeks now but sharing is good because it makes us all feel better.
“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 meantime, I’m gonna stay strong and know that mommy is making her proud.
“And she is gonna have the best time with her cousins and her nan in Slovenia. Anyways, 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.”
The family released a short film about their family life in March, Janette added that the film means a lot to the couple and they had been nervous about releasing it.
They said: “We are hoping us sharing our reality will give some support to parents out there who need a reminder that there is no one way system to raising a child, and that we are all doing our best.”
