Strictly's Janette Manrara makes heartbreaking admission after husband left family home

In her book, 'Tiny Dancer, Big World', Janette Manrara recounted a time in her life when there was a "lot going on" and revealed that she felt "drained and occasionally even a bit lonely"

Janette Manrara has opened up about a "daunting" and "lonely" time in her life when her husband, Aljaž Škorjanec, left the family home for work.

In her new book, 'Tiny Dancer, Big World', the Strictly Come Dancing star recounted a time in her life when there was a "lot going on", including becoming a new parent, navigating an evolving career and moving outside of London.

Janette confessed that she was an "entire ocean" away from the people she loved the "most in this world". To make matters worse, it occurred just after the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when feeling overwhelmed had become the "new norm", according to the dancer.

The couple had moved to the countryside and she described how she had been sitting among a "sea of boxes", but the chaotic results of the move had left her feeling disheartened.

She wrote: "I couldn't summon the energy or desire to tackle the mess, leaving me feeling drained and occasionally even a bit lonely. My spirit animal during that time was the feeling of 'meh'."

Janette went on to write: "I was unmotivated, I was sad, and Aljaz was often away for work, so I was home alone a lot - home alone in a new place, surrounded by boxes, clutter and the thought that there was no end in sight to all the things I needed to do.

"It was Lyra's nursery that sparked the most complex thoughts in me. I had this beautiful little miracle growing inside me, who was going to fill the house with so much life.

"I could not wait to meet her, and yet...looking at an empty nursery was daunting. I had no idea where to begin with it, nor even where to begin as a mother."

She went on to say that her thoughts began to "spiral" and she felt "unexcited about everything", despite having "so much" to be grateful and happy for, and she felt like an "oxymoron".

Janette, who has a daughter named Lyra Rose, joined Strictly in 2013 with her husband. She further revealed in the book that not being on tour with Aljaz was "one of the most challenging times" of her life, reports the Express.

It was reported earlier this month that Aljaz and Janette will embark on a 2025 UK tour, titled 'A Night To Remember'. It will include 15 performances that will feature tracks from the "great American songbook", as well as modern hits.