Janette Manrara, former *Strictly Come Dancing* star, has announced an exciting new career move that has fans buzzing.
The 41-year-old dancer, known for her time on the BBC’s beloved dance competition from 2013 to 2020, is stepping into a new role
that will take her off the dance floor and into the world of musical theatre.
This week, Janette revealed that she would be joining the UK tour of the iconic musical *Chicago*,
where she will take on the lead role of Roxie Hart—a casting she’s described as a “dream come true.”
For nearly a decade, Janette became a household name as a professional dancer on *Strictly Come Dancing*, wowing viewers with her graceful performances.
In addition to her time as a pro, she also co-hosted the spin-off show *It Takes Two* and joined her husband, fellow *Strictly* professional Aljaz Skorjanec, on several dance tours. Now, she’s ready for a new challenge as she makes her musical theatre debut in one of the most coveted roles in West End productions.
The announcement was made earlier this week, with a post from the official *Chicago* UK tour social media account, which read: “Extra extra! Big news for Foxy Roxie! The dazzling Janette Manrara will be joining the #ChicagoUKTour as Roxie Hart from 3rd March!” The post was accompanied by a promotional image of Janette fully transformed into her character, looking every bit the part of the famous murderess turned vaudeville star.
Fans of Janette were quick to express their excitement, flooding social media with congratulations and messages of support. One fan exclaimed, “Omg Janette. Wow. Congrats!” while another shared their sheer excitement: “Omg I am screaming with happiness.” Even Janette’s *Strictly* colleagues joined in the celebration. Vito Coppola extended his congratulations, while Amy Dowden cheered, “Go on superstar.” Dianne Buswell expressed her joy with, “Yesss girl so exciting. So happy for you,” and Jowita Przysta added flame emojis with the word “Slay,” showing their excitement for her new venture.
The *Chicago* UK tour is already off to a stellar start, with actress Faye Brookes currently portraying Roxie Hart, a role made famous by Renee Zellweger in the 2002 film adaptation. Alongside Brookes, other familiar faces such as Brenda Edwards from *Loose Women* and *Strictly’s* own Kevin Clifton are playing Matron “Mama” Morton and Billy Flynn, respectively. The current cast will perform until March 1st, after which Janette will step into the iconic role of Roxie Hart, much to the anticipation of her fans and musical theatre lovers alike.
Janette’s casting in *Chicago* is a major career shift from her time with the BBC, but it seems the transition is a perfect fit for her. The show will feature Janette alongside a talented ensemble cast, including Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Joshua Lloyd as Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine. While the future castings for the roles of Billy Flynn and Matron Morton are still under wraps, Janette’s role is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about aspects of the tour.
In a statement shared with *What’s On Stage*, Janette shared her excitement for the opportunity: “This is a dream come true! To have my musical theatre debut be playing the iconic Roxie Hart is so exciting. She is a beautifully complex character, and I cannot wait to bring my Roxie to the stage.” She went on to express how thrilled she is to work with such an incredible cast and crew, noting that she can’t wait to start this new chapter in her career.
With her experience in dance, hosting, and now musical theatre, Janette’s career has certainly taken some exciting turns. Her transition from the BBC’s *Strictly Come Dancing* to the stage marks a bold new move for the talented performer, and it’s clear that fans are thrilled to see her take on this new challenge. As she prepares to shine as Roxie Hart in *Chicago*, it’s clear that Janette’s star is only continuing to rise.
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