Janette Manrara breaks silence on Strictly partner Will Bayley's 'life-changing' injury

-Credit: (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
-Credit: (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)


Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has opened up about the 'life-changing' injuries her former partner Will Bayley suffered on the show, admitting "it was hard".

Paralympic table tennis champion Bayley described his ordeal as being in "horrific pain" after attempting a jump during rehearsals for the 2019 series. Speaking to the BBC about the incident, Bayley said: "I said, 'I'm not sure I can land safely', but everyone assured me I would be fine."

Bayley, who was born with a condition called arthrogryposis affecting all four limbs, alleges that Manrara insisted he redo the jump because an earlier attempt was "rubbish". It was during this second attempt that he says he sustained the injury.

READ MORE:Super fit Exeter man's shock diagnosis after losing speech on holiday

READ MORE:Woman gets paid to walk her own dog in bid to clear £10,000 debt

Following a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament while participating in the programme, Bayley underwent reconstructive knee surgery in January last year. He revealed that he "put on three stone and was struggling with depression".

In a recent interview with Closer magazine, Janette addressed the incident, saying: "It was hard for both of us to have to leave the competition in the way that we did. Nobody wants to leave the competition with an injury, especially when we were doing so well," reports the Manchester Evening News.

She added: "So of course, he felt frustration, and there were massive repercussions that he had from everything that happened on Strictly. We are still great friends."

Manrara confirmed that she and Bayley have spoken since he publicly discussed his experience on the show. She told Closer that they "know in our hearts" they were an "amazing team".

Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec
Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec

The BBC has revealed new measures for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, including welfare officers for both the professional dancers and contestants, as well as chaperones to supervise rehearsals. Janette opened up about her personal challenges due to her spouse Aljaz Skorjanec's commitment to the show.

She expressed to Closer: "I feel like a single mum at the moment, if I'm honest. Aljaz held the realm last year so I could work, hosting It Takes Two and the Strictly Live tour.

"It's a massive puzzle with Aljaz being back on Strictly, and planning is crucial. Aljaz's schedule is hectic - it's a seven-day-a-week job when you're a professional on that show - and it's going to be so intense once the series starts."