Strictly’s It Takes Two confirms return date as presenting line-up revealed

Strictly Come Dancing season is well underway, which means It Takes Two is returning to our weeknight watching schedules too.

The likes of Chris McCausland, JLS star JB Gills and Olympian Tom Dean are hitting the ballroom, alongside pros including Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell and Gorka Marquez.

And while they’ll be bringing the glitter and sparkles to our screens on Saturday night, we’ll also be getting peaks into their training during the week on It Takes Two.

The programme will return on Monday, September 23, after the first live show this Saturday.

Last year, Strictly finalist Fleur East replaced Rylan Clark on the BBC Two programme, while Janette Manrara returned after welcoming her first child.

And the duo are combining forces for the spin-off programme again this year, and will both be presenting throughout the 20th anniversary series.

Janette, 40, was a pro dancer on Strictly between 2013 and 2021 before taking over from Zoe Ball on It Takes Two that same year.

Speaking of It Takes Two’s return, she said: ‘I am absolutely privileged to host It Takes Two alongside Fleur. She’s such an amazing partner to do this with. And, I mean, Strictly Come Dancing is the best TV show on telly. 

‘As a dancer myself, knowing the level of appreciation it gets from the audience and fans is so humbling. So for me to be back on It Takes Two, talking about the couples and their experiences, is incredible. I’m so happy.’

She added: ‘Fleur and I are so, so, so alike. And the more we hang out and spend time together, the more we start finding things that make us similar. 

‘So really, I feel like we’re just a piece of each other – literally the same. Whether you’ve got Fleur or me, you’re going to get the same kind of show because… I don’t know, we’re really similar. 

‘I mean, we’re both as silly and stupid as each other. We’re both very driven, we both love what we do, and we both love Strictly.’ 

Fleur added: ‘We try to keep it cool, try and calm it down but we’re both Scorpios with a lot of energy, and we love to laugh so when we’re together that’s what happens.’

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Janette returned to It Takes Two just weeks after giving birth last year, telling fans: ‘Luckily I had more than enough time on maternity leave with Lyra for me to be able to come back and do the show.

‘So yes, I will be on the couch along with Fleur interviewing all of the couples and I can’t wait to actually.’

Janette went on: ‘I literally can’t wait. It was such an amazing year last year, but I feel like every year just, I don’t know, it’s just as great.’

Her partner Aljaž Škorjanec is also returning to the BBC One competition, after announcing his exit in 2022.

Following the announcement earlier this year, the 34-year-old spoke of how ‘thrilled’ he was, adding: ‘I’m probably more excited now than I was when I first started.’

‘I think Strictly, like we all know, gets bigger and better every year, especially this year for the anniversary, it’s incredible, and I think it’s a part of British culture now.

‘Why we all do it is for everyone at home watching and it makes so many people happy, it brightens up so many people’s days, so that’s what I’m looking forward to the most, really.’

Strictly’s It Takes Two airs weekdays from Monday, September 23, at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. 

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