Strictly's Janette Manrara shares sweet family snap to mark 40th birthday

Joe Anderton

18 November 2023 at 6:17 am·2-min read

janette manrara attends the uk premiere of quotthe little mermaid quot at odeon luxe leicester square — Strictly Janette shares sweet family pic for bdayDavid M. Benett - Getty Images

Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara has posted a cute family photo with husband Aljaž Škorjanec and daughter Lyra to mark her 40th birthday.

The professional dancer and It Takes Two host reached the milestone age this week, and shared her excitement about staring this new decade on Instagram alongside a photo of the new parents hugging their daughter, who adorably looks like she's mid-yawn.

"40 is looking to be the most beautiful year yet," she wrote. "I love you both more than I can ever describe… Counting my blessings."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Janette Manrara (@jmanrara)

Janette tried to keep her birthday a secret when she presented the BBC Two companion show this week, but her co-stars would not allow it.

During Thursday's live broadcast, costume designer Vicky Gill, fellow professionals Dianne Buswell and Katya Jones, and their celebrity partners Bobby Brazier and Nigel Harman, wheeled in a Glitterball-shaped cake and introduced a video message from Janette's family, including Aljaž and Lyra.

"We are so proud of you," Aljaž said. "You are an amazing mum and a beautiful wife.

"40 has never looked better – I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said the age. But we can't wait to have you come home so we can give you a cuddle after you smash the show."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Janette Manrara (@jmanrara)

Janette shared the clip to her Instagram page and wrote: "When you work with the best team in showbiz! Thank you to my @bbcstrictly #ItTakesTwo family for my cake and my surprise family messages!

"I never get to spend my birthday w/ them, so seeing their faces all the way from Miami, and especially Lyra and @aljazskorjanec, my heart was so full! 40 is proving to be quite special so far."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Tickets for Strictly's 2024 live arena tour are available now.

Interested in talking about Strictly Come Dancing? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

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