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Janette Manrara says missing Strictly presenting job left her devastated

Janette Manrara told a podcast she was devastated after losing the Strictly Come Dancing presenting job to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Outlets differ on whether she sobbed for a week or for weeks.

3 outlets · 0L · 1C · 2R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Digital Spy. Previously: “Janette Manrara says she 'sobbed for a week' after missing out on Strictly presenter job”.

Image: Daily Mail
Image: Digital Spy
Image: GB News

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The story, neutrally told

Janette Manrara, 42, has said she was devastated after missing out on presenting Strictly Come Dancing. She spoke to Jamie Laing on his podcast, which the Daily Mail and GB News call Great Company and Digital Spy calls Good Company. She was a professional dancer on the show for eight years and then hosted the spin-off It Takes Two for five years.

The main role went to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Manrara said she did well in the chemistry tests, as she was told, and felt she was a front runner. She said producers called every candidate's agent on the same day and were supportive, but gave no reason: "You were brilliant. We loved you. I can't tell you why."

The Daily Mail and GB News quote her as saying she sobbed for a week, while Digital Spy quotes her saying she sobbed for weeks. Talking to Zoe Ball and Fleur East helped; she said they felt they had gone through "the seven stages of grief". Ellie Taylor replaced Manrara and East on It Takes Two, and Manrara is now in the play Affluenza at London's Riverside Studios.

The Daily Mail and GB News add that the new trio's first live show drew 4.8 million viewers, down from 6.2 million last year.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Podcast interview write-up that stresses her positive takeaway and that the BBC handled the decision professionally.
Emphasis
Her account of how producers told candidates and supported her, and her pride at being in the chemistry test.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the ratings figures or her new play.
Charged language
“snub”“legend”
For example
“They handled it very professionally.” — Digital Spy
“Sometimes, I would hate to be in that position to pick the next person to host that show.” — Digital Spy

Right2 outlets

Framing
Celebrity-news retelling of the rejection, with the Daily Mail and GB News adding the show's ratings drop and Manrara's exit from the franchise.
Emphasis
Her emotional reaction, the new hosts' 4.8 million opening audience against 6.2 million last year, and her move into acting.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither mentions that producers called all candidates' agents the same day, or Manrara's remark that she would hate to be the one picking the host.
Charged language
“severed all connections”“shaky start”
For example
“Things got off to a shaky start on Saturday's first live show” — Daily Mail
“Ms Manrara has now severed all connections with the Strictly franchise.” — GB News