STRICTLY Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has broken her silence amid the show’s bullying probe and declared that ‘serious incidents risks destroying’ the programme.
Janette, 40, has lifted the lid on her thoughts just as her husband Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, makes a controversial return to the BBC dance floor.
Janette Manara has broken her silence on the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probeCredit: Rex
Her husband Aljaz Skorjanec is returning to Strictly following a ‘row’ claimCredit: Getty
Professional dancer Aljaz is making a comeback for the new series of Strictly despite claims of a “shocking” altercation with a female professional.
Janette has spoken openly about the cloud hanging over Strictly in a new podcast and says she supports people who speak out about bullying in the workplace.
However, the dancer has also shared her fears over “the wonderful things” Strictly has done being “destroyed” by ‘very serious incidents’.
Janette spoke out on the latest episode of Postcards Of Midlife podcast, saying: “I think when you hear and read the things you’ve been reading lately, of course you can’t feel for the people involved.
“First and foremost, I have to say that people should not be afraid to talk. If you feel something is wrong, or if you feel uncomfortable or if you’re in a bullying situation, especially at work, you shouldn’t be afraid to talk.
“So I’m very happy that the people who have spoken, have spoken because it’s important to feel they can speak.
“Then second to that, it’s so hard when you see things online that are trying to destroy all the wonderful stuff that Strictly has brought.
“The show is growing. Of course, times are changing. You can’t expect behaviours that are not acceptable now to have been the same 20 years ago.
“We’re still learning and accepting pronouns and the correct way to speak to people and what is the correct etiquette in certain situations.
“We are evolving as human beings very quickly and we are learning a lot about who we are and Strictly Come Dancing is no different.
“It’s a statement of us being humans. It’s people doing the show, it’s not a machine. Although it looks and acts like a machine because of how brilliantly it has done, but it’s people who are doing this.”
Janette added: “I think for me personally, it’s important people don’t forget all the wonderful things that Strictly has brought over the last 20 years. Because 99 per cent of it is positive.
“And then you have incidents of things that come up that are very serious and should be brought up and should be looked at, but not at the detriment of destroying all the wonderful things that the show has done.
Aljaz will be back on Strictly as a pro for the new seriesCredit: PA
Janette is believed to be resuming her hosting duties on Strictly: It Takes TwoCredit: Alamy
