Janette Manrara's slams calls for Strictly hosts to address show scandals on new series

Janette Manrara said her job as a host on Strictly: It Takes Two is to catch up and be there for the new contestants and not to address the scandals involving two former professionals

Janette Manrara has clapped back at suggestions that she, alongside Strictly Come Dancing's leading ladies Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, should bring up the recent controversy involving Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima on air.

While the It Takes Two host expressed her support for those who had spoken out about negative experiences they've had on the show, she doesn't see the necessity of mentioning it when live shows kick off later this month.

As Strictly gears up for its milestone 20th year, it was hit by allegations of misconduct concerning Giovanni and Graziano, who are no longer a part of the programme.

Giovanni faces accusations of being "cruel" and "abusive" to his celeb partner Amanda Abbington, who left after five weeks in the 2023 season. He has strongly refuted the claims and is eager to clear his name, following the outcome of the ongoing internal investigation.

Meanwhile, Graziano found himself in the headlines due to allegations that he kicked and spat at his previous celebrity partner Zara McDermott. While he has apologised for kicking her, he vehemently denies spitting on her, reports the Express.

Podcast hosts Jane Garvey and Fi Glover brought up the drama while speaking to Janette and pressed the point that an explanation is owed to viewers from show presenters Tess and Claudia.

Firmly opposing the view however, Janette, 40, said: "I disagree, I think our jobs as hosts on the show, mine on It Takes Two and for Tess and Claudia on Strictly Come Dancing is to solely celebrate the people that are there now, their experience and talk about what they are going through, celebrate the pro dancers and the group numbers that they are doing now and focus on moving forward."

She went on: "The only thing I will say is for example, Aljaz [Skorjanec] and his partner on my couch, how was your week? Did you enjoy it? Was it tough? Was it not tough? Tell me about it, how do you feel when the judges made those comments?' That is my job and that is my priority to focus on that couple and their experience."

Janette also said that matters relating to the allegations are "above" her pay grade and indicated that bringing such topics into the new series could be unfair on the fresh contestants.

As the debate progressed with the hosts suggesting that avoidance might seem "inauthentic", Janette held her ground, adding: "But that's not this year, there's a whole new cast of people."

She reiterated: "Again, that's above my pay grade, I don't pick the scripts, I don't decide what happens or doesn't happen on the show but, in my personal opinion, I don't think it will be fair to the new contestants to bring up that negativity because they are here to have a positive experience."

This season sees six female stars hitting the dance floor alongside nine male participants. While many might attribute this to the recent controversies, Janette pointed out that an uneven number of male and female contestants has occurred in previous seasons as well.

The 15 celebrities fighting for the coveted Glitterball trophy include; Opera sensation Wynne Evans, singer and actress Toyah Willcox, TV medic Punam Krishan, comedian Chris McCausland, JLS heartthrob JB Gill, The Only Way Is Essex's Pete Wicks and Love Island's Tasha Ghouri.

Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday at 7.20pm on BBC One