Off Air... with Jane and Fi - I'm calling 111, I feel like I'm from Bromley! (with Janette Manrara)

Episode Date: September 3, 2024

Fi's eery feelings toward Bromley are getting stronger and she's considering taking matters into her own hands! There's also more chat of pet portraits, happy TV and the double meaning of Madeira. Plus, Strictly's Janette Manrara is here to discuss her new book 'Tiny Dancer, Big World'. If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: [e-mail] us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lots of couples do take the opportunity to start something new or... Affairs. Just so... You're out looking on life, Jane, sometimes. I don't think you're helping yourself. I don't think you're right. Hi, I'm Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor for The Times. At the 2024 Times Earth Summit, our discussion on the essential steps for a net zero transition will be set against a backdrop of the biggest

election year in history. The governments voted in this year will face a crucial period for the sustainability agenda. This transition will be theirs to accelerate, and all our futures will be affected by whether or not they do so. To book your ticket to this year's summit, head to timesearthsummit.com forward slash virtual. Shuffling papers. We should start with an apology because yesterday there was an issue with yesterday's podcast but it's all up and running now and we're very grateful to those of you who alerted the authorities to the podcast predicament you found yourselves in. Yes, a lot of people took to Twitter.

They took to it. They took to it, yeah. You can't take to X, can you? You can't take to X. It's not the same. No. And yeah, there was quite, there was a little bit of storminess on the X last night because a former colleague of ours, a very adequate broadcaster, has started in a new position that is on at the same time as us and people were conferring their loyalty actually upon us, Jane, which is a very nice thing to hear.

Oh, I must go back on the socials. It's obviously a very happy place. But some of them also saying, oh, he's very good. And he is. That was quite a cackle, wasn't it? Oh yes, no, fair enough. I wish him well. I genuinely do. I also genuinely do. Can you feel, did you feel the authenticity seeping from me then? No, I didn't really feel at all. Caroline was the fantastic artist who drew your Barbara, my Dora. Now, it's funny you should mention that because I have just sent her a missive asking if she'd do all of the rest of the clan.

Have you? Oh fantastic, that was a lovely idea. Well will they pose together? No they won't. Can you imagine? No they will have to be individual portraits Jane, very much. She is really talented. She's just actually emailed apropos of not this at all but the Robert Harris book that she's really enjoying which is Precipice which apparently on Audible is being read by Samuel West. I can imagine that's very good. He's a very good actor. He is James Herriot on Channel 5 and many other things. He's a great actor and I bet he's absolutely

brilliant narrating that book. I'm almost a bit angry that I've read it and therefore I won't be able to listen to it anyway never mind. But in a couple of years time you will because that is the joy of the middle-aged mind is that you completely forget it and actually with regards to the current book club choice oh yes which I'd read when it came out and I've started reading it again and I thought oh no I'm going to remember everything I don't remember anything at all. Well, we should say a couple of people have emailed to say, what was it again? It's the book club choice.

It's Joanna Cannon, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. And we have checked and you easily should be able to get that from your library or you can order it in paperback. It's out there. I beg your pardon, Eve. And it will do something on Insta as well. That doesn't really help people get the book. Oh, if they forget it will help. Yeah, they'll be able to visualise it, which always helps. We're delighted to say that Joanna is, not only is she going to come on the Book Club

book car, she's coming down to London. Where does she live? The Peak District? Essex? Pimlico? No. The Peak District, which was mentioned in last night's episode of Sherwood. Sherwood? Sherwood. Sherwood. Which, during which I also noticed, it's like I've completely given up with the

plot to be honest, but I did, I've got a lamp that they featured in the show last night. Oh, that's a connection. Yeah, I felt, I did feel a connection. Do you know the problem for me with Sherwood is that there isn't a safe place within the script. So there isn't a scene that you cut to with two people who you are pretty certain will survive, you know, whose warm feelings for each other might develop completely unfettered by tragedy. Every single scene and every single plot is full of really kind of sinister dread. Proper jeopardy. Proper jeopardy.

So I found myself, and I did watch all the way through, going to bed with actually quite a heavy heart and I completely agree. The actors are absolutely amazing. The dialogue is really clever and really funny in places where it needs to be, but it is just that relentless, relentless feeling of dread that I can't. You can't wait for the news for a bit of light relief. Well, I did stay for the headlines and then thought I actually can't do this now, because it's, you know, all our news is really pretty bleak at the moment too.

So, roll on some of the other stuff that's coming. Colin from Accounts, season two is shortly to appear on our screen. Slow Horses starts this week as well. You didn't watch that one either? That is a great, great TV. That is great TV. And what else was coming? There was something else that caught my eye. I'll strip you back. No, we can't say that because our guest in the podcast today, Fee, is... Jeanette Manrano. That's right, who's the author of Tiny Dance, a Big World. Let me just read the subtitle. How to find fulfillment from the inside out. Certainly with my gut health being the way

it is, I'm looking to find fulfillment from the inside out. Well, I'm sure she's an absolutely wonderful person and you know none of the nasty stuff about Strictly is on her but I was bored as Strictly even before its festering entrails were revealed to the world chain. This is the glitter ball. I don't care! And they're all just too good because somebody will get a ten in week two. What's the point of that? I know. Well, they need a couple of old cart horses on, don't they? They do. But we both said no.

So it's not going to happen. It's difficult for them. This one comes in from Much Love Rachel in Cardiff, catching up on a week's worth of the pod after a trip to Majorca. So apologies if I'm a little behind the times. Regarding shoplifting, when I was out and about in Cardiff a few weeks ago, a woman suddenly came barrelling towards me, yelling, give me my stuff back! I assumed her bag had been snatched, but then realised she was in hot pursuit of a young

chap clutching an armful of clothes still on their hangers. She had a good 30 years on him and he was getting further and further away. So she whipped off her slip-on shoe and shied it at him, catching him on the back of the head. Such a good bowler's arm. He dropped the clothes and shuffled off swearing. She returned triumphant to the budget fashion chain she apparently works at, watched all the while by two store detectives who were lurking outside the door. The moral of this story, never underestimate a middle-aged Welsh woman in a bias-cut summer dress and a sturdy flat shoe.

And that is my message for the day. Yeah, what? I agree with that. I never understood what bias-cut means. What is that? Did you not do home economics and dressmaking on a Friday afternoon? We did double needlework on a Monday. On a Monday? I hated it. Jane, Monday is not the day for needlework. It had to be on a Friday afternoon. When your head was slightly kind of foggy from all of the week's work.

You just had to do a little bit of hemming. So bias cut is when you've put the pattern on at a slant. So when you cut it, instead of all of the threads going in a horizontal or vertical way, they are hanging in a diagonal way. So it gives a little bit of a cling to your dress. And so if you imagine just a straight shift dress, if you skimmied that around,

shimmied that around, whatever you wanna do with it, at about 45 degree angle. When you're cutting it then all of the threads would be going on the diagonal so it gives it a little bit of a different shape. Okay and that would flatter what kind of form? None. It doesn't flatter anybody I don't think, unless you're an absolute twiglet. I think it clings in the wrong places, sticks out in the wrong places. I've never really got to grips with bias cut myself. No, okay. I mean, I have to say that the good news is that on the Gram, belly fat has gone,

weirdly, to be replaced by adverts appertaining to the festive season. Oh my god. I cannot believe it. So I've said I don't want those either. I'd like a fuzzy felt Santa. I cannot believe it. So I've said I don't want those either. I'd like a fuzzy felt Santa. And have you been discussing the Yuletide season in front of your smart speaker? I had that conversation with myself and I don't think I have. Did you have that out loud? I did have it out loud.

That's the problem. Then I started talking about speedboats. I'm waiting to see just to see if I did get any ads about and then I talked about getting a cottage in Devon to see if I get any ads for Properties in Devon. Brilliant. So far nothing, but I'm sure they're working on it. Okay. I'll keep you posted. Yeah So I think Yes, I think we should all be having conversations about first-class travel to destinations I might just pop in Madeira something that I don't often say in my house I'd like a first-class flight to Madeira and see whether or not that gets shoved at me.

Just as a tip, I pop a bit of Madeira in my mushroom soup. Do you? Yes, I do. So Madeira is not only a lovely holiday destination with some warmth in the sunshine, well into the autumn. Oh yes, a winter destination. But it's, so what is it, a fortified wine? Yes, very very strong, it does work very well with mushrooms.

Okay, how long have you had the bottle? Oh, getting on for 30 years. Excellent. Still doing a powerful job. That's very good. So our sympathies go to Sharon, who has sent us a really beautiful picture with your place, Spinner Longer. Spinner Longer in the background. She was at the same hotel as me by the look of it. Yeah, is that the same hotel?

Yes. Did you have something of the infinity pool in front of you? Yes, the infinity pool in the selfie spot where you could stand to take an image of yourself by a former leper colony, which I thought was weird. And do you recognise this woman? I didn't see her! At the same time? I didn't see her, no. OK, that's so spooky. But she clearly has been there.

But on the back, she has sent us the full page of the How much should I walk to lose 45 pounds according to my age? Calculate. And it's a picture, it's such an unflattering picture of a woman on a beach. Huge pants. Massive, massive, massive pants and she's walking a dog and she's looking off into the distance and I can just quite safely say as a long-term dog owner that's not how you walk a dog on a... it's just not

how you walk a dog on a beach. You just don't. You don't saunter along the foreshore barefoot with your shades and your great big Panama hat In a swimming costume with a dog on a lead. I mean all of its wrong It's just wrong wrong wrong and we're going to get rid of those Sharon. So thank you very much indeed for your email, right? This is from Lisa. It's that time of year. It's on the turn I'm gonna I've got an email here about summer-born children and how difficult that can be for people but this is about people leaving for uni and Lisa says my big girl left for uni last September. She was really nervous. She does have a number, has had a number of mental health issues and she is an ambulant wheelchair user so does have some additional hassles. Now I knew she

had all the items for a mum box so my younger daughter and I planned something slightly different. Lots of little, not expensive things wrapped in plain paper with labels like when it's all a bit much, when you're missing home, when you wonder if you should be here, when you've landed in your first piece of work etc. The gifts were everything from a coaster with a funny picture right through to some home mixed spice for a favorite meal She really liked them and some led to immediate calls home or pictures of the gift in action So I think that's a lovely idea a lot of thought goes into that doesn't it an enormous amount of thought but I imagine a Huge consolation to the person still adjusting to life outside the home at this time of year.

Because uni is, it's a big, big change. It's a leap. It's a big leap. And it's a big leap for the parents and parent or parent, whatever it might be, carers left at home. And indeed for the siblings left at home as well sometimes. It's quite hard to, my younger one would just go and rifle through her sister's possessions when she was, when the older one was at uni.

And then when she came home, perhaps unexpectedly, there'd be a great deal of drama when the older one found out what the younger one had taken from the wardrobe. That was the only time they really fell out. Right. It was about things like that. So very sad, but opportunity to pilfer. Well it is. On the bright side.

Yes, it is. Do you know what, I would very much like to hear from single parents because I don't think it's often discussed as well, that empty nest when it is just, just you. And lots of couples do take the opportunity to start something new or... Affairs. Just so... Your outlook on life, Jane, sometimes... I don't think you're helping yourself. I don't think you're right.

But it's different, isn't it? And I think if it's just you, then that silence is really, really loud. Well, yes, it is. And I think it's just... But you don't want to lump that on the child who's left, because that... I mean's, they don't want to hear that do they? No, no. No they really don't. They need to be let go with a certain amount of joy and positivity in their heart. Yeah and just not having to think of you back at home, you're absolutely right. I mean in an ideal world they probably won't think very much of you but there will be moments when they might think oh I thought she was an old boot but on the other hand she was not the nastiest person I've ever met

and I'd quite like to see her. So we all have those moments in our life. But good luck to everybody who's venturing forth in the next couple of weeks. And have you seen the email from Sally about her daughter's birthdays on the 24th of August? So this is about just summer-born children, how much harder it is for them, which I hadn't really thought about this. Well, one of mine is August the 30th. Oh, really? Oh gosh, that's even closer. Right, OK. When Sally's daughter started in reception a little over a week after her fourth birthday, the little girl next to her had already turned five, and that 51-week difference in age is really big at that age.

And although the obvious gap may close as they get older, the disadvantages of the summer-born child are huge and she goes on to come up with all sorts of other things about brownie camps and trips that her daughter couldn't go on because she wasn't quite the right age. It does matter. It's a massive thing and I'm not sure that it does always close with age actually. I think it can remain a little bit tricky. And back in the day, there was a little bit of leeway on summer-born children

as to what year of school they should go into. But it's a very, very rigid system these days, which I don't think is always helpful. And it's the same for kids who are born on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd of September. I mean, it's just assumed that they're the right age to be in the year, but they will be with people who they are way older than, and that's not always a good thing too. So yeah, I think it can be a little bit problematic. Yeah, I think that, I mean, when you think about it, that 51 week gap is at, well they

barely... It's the same as a 52 week gap, Jenny. Yeah, it's... I mean, it really is, isn't it? Yeah, it's, it's, yes, exactly. I mean, they haven't been around that long, so that difference in age, and children develop at such different rates, they really do. I mean, there are some three-year-old, three-and-a-half a half year old, I'm going to say this is a generalisation but particularly girls who are probably much more ready for

a life outside the home than boys. It does seem to be slightly easier for the girls to manage the adjustment to school, not school, nursery even. It's just one of the, I don't know what it is but there's something about girls develop more social skills a little bit earlier I think. Yeah, not all girls. No, not all girls, but I think, well let's see what people say about that. But I mean frankly my children couldn't get out of the house quickly enough. Which is a little, in some ways a bit upsetting.

I was in the year, I was bumped up a year at primary school, which was always eternally weird. And what year did that happen? So that happened when I was six or seven. And it was because I'd changed schools and gone somewhere else and then come back and whatever. But looking back on it, I wouldn't advocate that myself, because you're always just unbelievably young. I don't really know I don't know to what advantage. I was too young to go to university when I left

school isn't that just bizarre. So yeah. So you couldn't even drink could you? Well. Legally. Yeah all of that. All of that. No and of course I wouldn't have done any of those things. I would never ever have pushed the envelope on that front, Jane. You know that I wouldn't. I'm just not that kind of woman, right? Let's carry on very, very quickly. Your timing for a return from holiday couldn't be better. Just now listening to Tuesday's episode on this free afternoon in brackets Thursday. Free because I've just submitted the last two coursework assessments for my Masters in Psychology program. This comes in from Hillary, and I'm free for the first time in eight months.

God, I bet that weighs over you, doesn't it? It's just a break though, because the thesis is next. It's been terrifying, but no regrets, despite having seriously questioned my choices on several brow-sweating occasions. Hillary goes on to question, is it an Indian summer? Fee said so today. How depressing. If so, maybe further north that's the case. Here in Paris we're clinging on to actual summer. Best wishes and enjoy the

sunny warm days filled with long hours of light whilst they last. Do you think it's an Indian summer? Maybe it was just two days of quite hot weather? I think it's... I checked on the weather thing today and it does look as though it's relatively warm for the next fortnight, but quite wet. So I don't know, is that an Indian summer? I don't know. I'm just thinking it's absolutely terrible for my hair. This also comes in from, there was another congratulations we need to give out to Helen

Worthy, who has done something fantastic later on in life. On Wednesday this week, aged 52 years and 4 months, I received the news that I passed the English Solicitor Qualifying Exams Part 2 and have indeed been admitted as an English Solicitor. I graduated from uni aged 21 in 1993 with every intention of qualifying as a Solicitor but somehow it never quite happened even though I pretty much ended up doing the same job. I'm a rare breed of qualified by experience but with no paper to show for it. Instead I've been married for over 20 years, mothered to two teenage boys, they've just survived GCSEs and the Law Society having changed their qualification path I decided in January 2023 to start a vanity project

to prove to myself, if not everybody else, that I could have done it. Not quite knowing what I let myself in for, with working pretty much full time, a house to run, taxi service, Chair of the School PTA Scouts Committee, overseeing a full kitchen utility renovation last summer, being executor to the estates of my dad and stepdad who passed

away supporting a mother and stepmother. I attended online classes and did indeed manage to pass. My observation was that my degree at over 30 plus years old was older than 90% of my cohort. Listening to your podcast is my bit of me time and I love chuckling aloud. Tending the front garden still sticks with me as I chortled on a plane. Well look Helen, wow wow wow. Congratulations. That is a very very very busy full life, a lot of it devoted to other people. So how fantastic that you've managed to find the time, don't know how really, in order to get that qualification. Good on you

for doing it and yes, you can have a tote. Executive decision. No, you enjoy your tote. Over to Eve. Claire has also been achieving, I'm 63 and doing quite well if you don't mind me saying so, no we don't mind at all. She's doing park runs and she's had five personal bests in a row over two months. 37 minutes and 16 seconds on Saturday at Conwy RSPB, probably one of the most scenic routes in the UK she says. All park run events are park walks as well and place just as much importance on the role of volunteers as participants universally all inclusive events. I was incapacitated for months with an arthritic knee for nearly a year three years ago and after a long wait for an NHS physio I slowly got going again. It's always swollen but it rarely bothers me. I mean it sounds

like you're... I don't know whether... I'm not a doctor at Norris Fee but if you have got a swollen knee that genuinely isn't bothering you that's good but I wouldn't... I don't know. What do you think? I mean it's amazing that Claire's done these personal bests five in a row. Why is it swollen? Yeah, that's my question. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be so tempted to have it looked at. Well, it looks as though she has seen an NHS physio. But anyway, we're just a bit concerned about that, Claire.

I'd have it looked at again. Yes. Maybe. I mean, if you are, because clearly you're giving your knee a bit of punishment with those park runs. So just check in on the old GP and probably by Christmas 2028 you'll have an appointment lined up. Oh no. Little bit of satire there. OK. But surely Jane, under this new government that

will change. Well yes. Wes Streeting will see you now. You can consult one of the apps, the chat box, which are always so welcoming when you send them images of your developments. Sorry, that just reminds me of the thing where they ask me not to send a picture. Please don't send a picture. But I'm sure a picture of a swollen knee would be absolutely fine. As long as you make it clear what it is. Now you're going to have to indulge me here, it's about Bromley. Oh yes. Dear Jennifer, I'm so excited to write this email, says Isabelle from Bromley. I feel as if your last few pods have been unusually pertinent to me, urging me to write.

Plus I'm harbouring an unsuppressible hope that you may allow me a tote bag. So here I am, long-term listener, first-time emailer, writing in. Firstly, I am from Bromley. Born and bred here, I love it. Best of both worlds, fee, as I live near to fields and woodlands which I love but can also catch the train into London easily. And who could dislike Bromley's Glade shopping centre and the wonderful Churchill Theatre? That's a challenge. Have you been to the shopping centre? Yes, I have. I did work in Bromley for a tiny, tiny amount of time as a secretary in an office for a road haulage company. Right, so when you say you've been to Bromley before, you have been to Bromley before.

No, I have been to Bromley but I haven't lived in Bromley and that's the weird feeling I get when I drive through Bromley. I feel that I've lived it, that I am from Bromley and that's the weird feeling I get when I drive through Bromley. I feel that I've lived it, that I am from Bromley. No I don't know either. I'm gonna call 111. Secondly, the brilliant book Small Pleasures by Claire Chambers which you mentioned features Hayes Westwickham in Bromley which is where I think both Mrs Chambers and I live though I hasten to add Not Together so Claire must like Bromley too. Thirdly the brilliant Monica Dolan mentioned in your review of Sherwood, yes very tense I'm with you both there, is the star of a wonderful film called Days of the Bagnold Summer. Now I can I agree because

that is a great film it's one of those I'm gonna say small films, but it's not small. It actually raises some really big issues about a mother and a son. Okay, when did it come out? I can't place it at all. Gosh, I would say maybe six or seven years ago. Oh okay, so quite recent. Yeah, yeah. Okay, we'll look that up. Days of the Bagnold Summer shot almost entirely in Bromley. I really recommend it. And finally, I'm also a social worker and I really support your thoughts on how Kirsty Olsop could have interacted with the social worker who had to contact her following the referral.

Whatever the reasons for someone referring Kirsty and whatever anyone's opinions are, and of course they're going to be mixed, a civil and sensible conversation was needed. Your thoughts were wise. I love you both. Your podcast is brilliant. So, Isabel, you get a tote as well. That's my second executive decision. I'll make no more today, Eve. I'll make no more. I absolutely promise. So, I think the furore about Kirsty Allsop has died down a little bit now. There'll be another one along in a minute. We'll wait to see what happens. We so will. I popped on the television last night and who, do you know who was on The

One Show? Who was it? No, well let me have a guess, give me a clue. Well, a star quite big. I was quite surprised to see her on The One Show so... Cher? No, not Cher Wood. No. Cher Wood. Is anybody out there by the way called Cher Wood? We need to hear from you. It was Kate Winslet. Kate Winslet? Yeah on the One Show. I mean maybe I shouldn't be that surprised.

Anyway she was plugging, it sounds like a good film actually, Lee about Lee Miller the photojournalist. And Lee Miller is one of those names I know but I know nothing about the woman's life. And Kate was doing a very good job of promoting the film as you'd expect her to but I'm definitely going to go and see it. And she made the very good point that it's very difficult to get films made about women. Even now, it's still quite difficult to get the financing for a film starring a woman about a woman. A biopic, whatever how you pronounce it.

Yes, I always say biopicopic but apparently it's biopic. Well, I suppose because it's biography, isn't it? So it's biopic. But I'm with you. I've always said biopic. Yeah. Let's not do the pronunciation thing again. No, let's not. But anyway, there she was. And yes, for some reason I was a bit stunned to see Kate Winslet in that. But yeah, it's a very good vehicle for promoting your wares. Well, isn't it? Who was she on the sofa with?

Was it somebody who had once been on Saturday Kitchen? No, it wasn't. It was the chap from Pointless who isn't or never was Richard Osmond. Alexander Armstrong. Well-known baritone. Is he? Is he? What do you mean? He knocks out a couple of Christmas CDs, you know, singing uassails in a deep voice. Gosh, I mean some of these blokes, they do so much, don't they? Yeah, well I tell you what, you and I could, we could pitch something for Christmas. I'll get my ova out and you can do some tambourine work.

I'll bring in my very old bottle of Madeira and we'll just see what happens. We'll just see what happens. The world is getting more dangerous and understanding how helps. I'm Alex Dibble and I present The Times' World in 10 podcast where we hear from military specialists and our renowned foreign correspondents. They're the most likely cause of a world war in the next 10 years. This isn't something you want to get mixed up. President Putin will sow discord in the alliance. The World in 10 is every day and just for 10 minutes. Do join us.

Today's guest is strictly guru and host of It Takes Two, Jeanette Manrara. Jeanette, welcome to our program. Thank you very much for coming on. Oh, thank you for having me. But I'm very intrigued. Do you have a pet dog? We, well, we're searching for one. Are you? Okay, right. We are.

Well, we happen to be interviewing Britain's leading puppy training expert tomorrow. So we are interested in hearing about your questions if you have any about puppies. But we'll move on to that a little bit later perhaps. Well I've got a puppy story, great puppy story. Well can you do it briefly? I'll do it briefly. Aliash and I just worked with Tails.com, it's an amazing dog food company and we had a dog behaviouralist on set with us. The way that they handled the dogs is fascinating.

It's really spectacular to watch how good they are with dogs they've never even met before. Wow. Okay. Hopefully one day I can do that to Elias. Yes. If anyone is bemused, Elias is your husband. Yes. Elias, his full name is? Elias Skorjanets. And he is Slovenian. You were born in Miami from a Cuban family, is that correct?

Yes, correct. Yeah. And I think, can I just say, I think a lot of people, a lot of women, and indeed some men, are a little jealous of your relationship with Elias, because he is, is it fair to call him the Housewives favourite? Where are you going with this? Is he the Housewives favourite on Strictly, Jeanette? That's what I was going for. And he's back on the show, isn't he?

He's back, and I'm so excited, he's so excited, and I think a lot of people are happy that he's back on the show, isn't he? He's back and I'm so excited. He's so excited and I think a lot of people are happy that he's back. He is Mr Strictly. I mean, everybody always says that his smile is absolutely infectious. He's just the happiest person. So I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled that he's back on the show. Well, we've got to talk about Strictly because there is quite a lot to talk about, let's be honest, but we do want to talk about your book, Tiny Dance, A Big World,

How to Find Fulfillment from the Inside Out. Now, this is a guide to what? Learning to like yourself a little bit more and make the most of your potential, is that correct? Yeah, I guess in a nutshell. I think, you know, we are our worst critics really. We have very negative self-talk and I want people to understand that there is a lot of goodness

that exists within us and within other people. And the sooner you kind of start forgiving yourself, accepting yourself, understanding yourself, and trying to be the best possible version of yourself, I think we'll hopefully create a society where all of us can be a little bit kinder and a little bit greater with one another. Have you ever had much negativity in your own life?

Because superficially, I mean, you know, and you look at your existence and you think, well, how good can it be? It looks fabulous. Gorgeous husband, got a lovely little girl now. Fantastic, interesting career. You're doing Morning Live, aren't you? You're doing It Takes Two.

What's to complain about? I know, and I think that's the problem. We all assume a lot of things because what I put on social media, and what I think what a lot of us just put on social media is the positive and the good in our lives. But like any other person, I have what a lot of us just put on social media is the positive and the good in our lives but like any other person I have had a lot of hardship I've had a lot of hard times to get to where I'm at and there probably will be more to come you know life is like that you just got a roll with the punches but I'm all about celebrating all the beautiful things that life has

brought my way and I don't take for granted the blessings that I have I know how fortunate I am in many ways in my life but that's the part of of, again, I talk about it a lot in the book, having gratitude for the things that come your way. And it's the great multiplier of gratitude. The more grateful you are for the things in your life, I think the more you start finding, the more comes your way. Now I said you were from Miami, that's certainly you grew up there, but your family had made that trip, hadn't they, to get to the United States? Just briefly, because that's in the book, just reference that, what happened to them.

Well, they wanted to leave communist Cuba, you know, they had to leave their homes and they left in very complicated circumstances. My father had to go to Spain and he was living basically in a refugee camp selling cardboard boxes to make ends meet. And then my mother went to Costa Rica and both of them came differently. My dad was able to come on a flight to New York City. But my mother came on a speedboat alone with her brothers and sisters. I mean, they were kids. She was only 11 or 12 years old. And they came on their own with one sheet of paper and a quarter in their pocket.

And then didn't get reunited with their parents till many days later. So when you hear the story of your parents having done something like that for opportunity and freedom and the ability to do whatever they want. I don't think people realise how lucky we are to have been born in places like the UK or USA where you can do whatever you want to do, you just need to apply yourself to it really. But yeah, their stories fascinates me and I think it adds a lot of context to why I am the way that I am. Well I was going to say that hard work is at the core of what your family has achieved and indeed what you've done because you cannot be as good a dancer

as you clearly are without graft and I'm talking about years of it. When did you start? Well I mean I always say I started dancing when I started walking because being Cuban there was no option. Everybody dances in my family and we invented, Cubans invented the cha-cha-cha and lots of the different rhythms that you hear on strictly. So dancing was always in the in the in the woodworks really for my life. But I actually studied finance at uni and I got a job at banking. So dancing was more of a hobby and something that I did because I was passionate about it. And I have been doing it really since forever. So I joined a TV show when I was 12 years old and I was doing musical

theatre and acting and singing and everything. Performing basically was always a part of my life. I didn't think it would become my career until much, much later. And you do need to, I think if you dance, you do it because you love it. It is a type of craft that is very unappreciated in many, many different contexts. You know, you've got, that's why it's so special to be on our show, like, Strictly, that puts dancing at the forefront. Usually dancers are behind the pop star or they're in the chorus or they're in, you know, unless you're in the Royal Ballet or, you know, that's a whole other conversation, that's a different world.

But dancing, you need to love it and you need to really go through aches and pains to do it. Well when you were on the show I appreciate you do it it takes two now but when you were on Strictly Out and before that how many hours a day were you dancing? Oh god eight, nine, sometimes ten it depends on every day was slightly different but you would be on your legs hours upon hours of the day, especially when you're teaching, because you're up and teaching and moving and getting about. So that's why, again, I think dancers are just phenomenal artists. And it's so nice to have shows that are appreciated the way that Strictly does. Well, Strictly starts on September the 14th and it's a hugely significant show for the BBC.

They really need it. But this is going to be a difficult series, isn't it? I don't think so. I'll be honest. I think it's a celebration really. It's the 20th anniversary and everybody that works on that show, I know from first hand from being a professional on the show and now being one of the hosts members, it is a show that I think every single person wants to work their absolute hardest to make it the best and regardless of the controversy that's been going around I think they are coming

back this year in the hopes that the highlight will be the 20 years that Strictly has brought joy and escapism. I mean in the nicest possible way of course they hope that's the highlight but I mean I've got the front page of the song with me here. BBC's Strictly Timebomb stars poised with more complaints. We know that they still haven't published, have they, the BBC, the investigation into what has allegedly gone on behind the scenes involving pros who are no longer involved with the programme, allegedly. When do you think it will come out? Certainly before the show starts, surely? That's above my pay grade. I'm just here to celebrate the celebrities that are on there now and the professionals that are on there now.

But you acknowledge that unless it is made public before the show starts, it will look faintly ridiculous, won't it? I don't know. Again, I'm not here to discuss what people's opinions are when they read or don't read something, so that's up to the public to decide. Yeah, and I think in a way, I have to say I'm a viewer of Strictly, I'm almost always watch it if I'm around on a Saturday night, I enjoy it but I'm not mugging off to think that there isn't a darker side because you've already alluded to the tremendous commitment required to be a top dancer. You cannot sign up to that show as a celebrity and think that you can phone it in. You are gonna have to put the hours in, aren't you? Of course and I think every celebrity knows that. But I'm not sure that they do.

I think that's one of the problems. Well I mean look I can't speak for every single professional and every single celebrity that's ever been on the show. That would be obviously impossible but what I can say is that yes it is physical, yes the hours are long and yes there are weeks and days that might be tougher than others. And like any situation, you're not always going to have great days and you're not always going to get along with the people that you work with. But if a certain situation goes far or the line is crossed to a point that it shouldn't have been crossed, I think it's very, very good to know that those voices were heard,

regardless of what happens afterwards. It's good to know that you have a space where you can talk about that experience and hopefully that not happen again. Fee and I were talking earlier, weren't we, about whether we think Tess and Claudia will acknowledge the allegations of bullying. What was it we concluded? I can't remember. Well, I certainly think it will be a bit odd if there isn't just the tiniest nod to them because as viewers you are being asked to really buy into Strictly, that's the deal isn't it, you don't sit back and watch it from your sofa you cheer for the people who are on it, they're asking you to join the Strictly family so I think if they didn't say something it would just

be a bit inauthentic something it would just be a bit Inauthentic actually a bit far removed from the audience. What do you mean on the show? Yeah But actually I disagree I'm so sorry ladies. No, you can't listen. Yeah, that's great. You know more about it than we do I Disagree, I think our jobs as hosts of the show mine as it takes Two and for Tess and Claudia on Strictly Come Dancing, is to solely celebrate the people that are there now, their experience and talk about what they are going through, celebrate the pro dancers and their group numbers that they're doing now and focus on moving forward. Okay, I mean I absolutely, we've heard what you say, but you're honestly going to present It Takes Two and make no reference to any of this when the show kicks off. The ref, the only thing I will say is, for example, Ali Ashton, his partner on my couch.

How was your week? Did you enjoy it? Was it tough? Was it not tough? Tell me about it. How did you feel when the judges made those comments? That is my job and that is my priority to focus on that couple and their experience Yeah But there will be no reference on it takes two or on the main strictly show on the Saturday night and on the Sunday night To all the stories that have filled the tabloids over the last couple of weeks. But that's not this year This is a whole new cast of people. No, but it's the show that as Fi says we buy into

Because we love all the the glitter ball and the eyes and teeth and all the fun and games and all the rest of it But for us to continue buying into it that has to be it has to be equal because we love all the glitter ball and the eyes and teeth and all the fun and games and all the rest of it. But for us to continue buying into it, that has to be, it has to be equal. And you, I'm not pointing at you but you're here, you as Strictly, you have to play your part and acknowledge the stuff that's been said. Yes, but not, again, it's above my pay grade. I don't pick the script, I don't decide what happens or doesn't happen on the show, but in my personal opinion I think it would not be fair to the new contestants to bring up that kind of negativity because they are here to have a positive experience. Yeah, I mean it is interesting that there are only, I think there are only six female

contestants this year, which is a bit odd isn't it? No, it's happened in the past but we have sometimes we have more males, sometimes we have more female, it just depends on the year. So it's just a coincidence that there are... Yeah, I think it's happened in the past and we haven have more males, sometimes we have more females. It just depends on the year. So it's just a coincidence that there are... Yeah, I think it's happened in the past and we haven't had the controversies we've had this year. And no same sex couple? Oh, I don't know. We don't know yet, do we? We've not been partnered up.

No, but as far as I know, there aren't any same sex couples. Well, that hasn't been revealed. If Jeanette doesn't know, then we really don't know. Can I just say that there's a lovely message from Helen who says lots of men are jealous of Aliash that he's with Jeanette. Thank you, Helen. That's a girl's girl. I can fully understand, Jeanette, that you don't want to have to spend every single interview talking about the darker side of Strictly, especially when you've got this lovely book out, which is about the brighter side of life. But I've always been a little bit curious just about that skill set that Strictly has demanded from its dancers to be able to teach as well.

Because often a performer is the least likely person to be a good teacher. It's just not the right kind of toolkit. They don't have that. They that they are the ta-da I can do it perfectly and a teacher is someone who is a patient. I've always always said and I stand by this every time I say it the professionals are the backbone of Strictly and they have so many hats to wear you have to be able to dance you have to be able to teach you have to be a bit of a therapist because you know you're dealing with people's ups and downs and emotions so as a pro on Strictly there is a huge responsibility on how that celebrities experiences and how the show

turns out. Yeah, do you think it asks too much though sometimes? I mean I think that is that that does seem to be what's happened a bit. I mean it's I don't know I can only speak from my experience and Ali Asher's experience and for us it has been the most wonderful job we've ever had I mean I still speak to every single one of my partners that I've had on the show So does Aliash and with every single year we leave just thinking oh my gosh, that was incredible I had the best time but when you are a professional dancer you were partnered with I never knew how to say his name And I thought my kids always used to laugh Hervey

kids always used to love. What? Hervey. You know, HRVY. It's actually Harvey. But he's just trying, you know, he's making it cool by making it HRVY, but it's Harvey. I mean, he was great. I think you came second. Yeah, we were so close.

But when you know that you're with him, you must think, well, you know, he was a young lad, he was tall, wasn't he? He was clearly fit. Obviously, you've got more hope than if you were partnered with the male equivalent of me. You say that and then Bill Bailey wins. Yeah, but that was during the Covid winter, wasn't it? No, but it's happened in the past many times. The best dancers don't always necessarily

win the show and I think that's the beauty of the show. The fact that, you know, I think as a nation we love an underdog. Somebody that comes in that, you know, I think as a nation we love an underdog, somebody that comes in and, you know, really learns something and moves forward and you see the development throughout the series and then you get to the end and you're like rooting for them to win. Yeah, you have a daughter, you and Elias, now I mean she is only, is it 13, 14 months? 13 months, she's outside asleep. Yeah, but can she dance? That's the question. She does bobble at the moment, up and down, so I think she's got some kind of rhythm in there. I mean she's got the genes so surely she'll be able to dance. You know Aliash and I always say the same thing

whatever she wants to do I just want her to be happy and really follow her heart and do what what makes her feel fulfilled in life. My parents did that and I'm so grateful they did they never forced me to do anything they just supported me in anything that I wanted to do and that is what as parents I think Ali Ashton I want to do the most for her. Okay, so Prime Minister astronaut and anything she can be anything Okay, do you dance in discos? Absolutely. Do you clear the floor? Everyone just goes right? Dancing next to her. I'll tell you what Ali Ashton does it though. He gets quite shy

No, I'm the opposite anything to get to get up and dance They just start dancing next to her. I'll tell you what, Aliash does it though. He gets quite shy. Really? I know. I'm the opposite. I need to get up and dance. What's your favourite song to dance to? Conga by Gloria Estefan. Oh yeah, that is good. But that's your Cuban roots.

I grew up with her and everything. It just reminds me of fun and my family and it's just the best. Oh, if only we could have a clip of that right now standing by, but we haven't. Aww. I thought you were going to play it, I was ready. That would be really produced and it doesn't happen here, but we've always got the spirit. Jeanette, thank you so much for coming in. Thank you.

Thank you for having me. And Ian says, ladies, Jeanette is right. Absolutely nothing to be gained for any viewers to justify comments about previous issues. Just move on. Move on. Keep dancing. Keep dancing. Ain't that the spirit? Just keep dancing. Jeanette thank you very much. Thank you very much. Strictly returns to BBC One on September the 14th and Jeanette Manrara's book is called Tiny Dancer Big World. Hold me close, a tiny dancer. I love that song. Oh, did you see, if anyone's looking for a bit of life-enhancing entertainment, it's on the BBC iPlayer. Did you see the

Disco Proms by Inuit? Okay, it was, I happened, I chanced upon it about 9.30 on Saturday night. I just got back from the train from Euston and I just needed something just to sort of lull me into night time. It was just fantastic. It was the BBC Broms from the Albert Hall, but it was disco. So it was the BBC concert orchestra. Andy Oliver was the host. And they just did loads of classic disco tunes with a big big orchestra. It was fantastic. So do you remember the song Kelly Marie, Feels Like I'm In Love? Yes. There was that, there was loads of stuff by the Tavares, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, all these incredible

disco songs. Did they do Leo Sayer, I'm in the mood for dancing? No they didn't but they could have done. Leo Sayer is making it, I think he's a, is he hoping to be at Glastonbury? Anyway if you're looking for a bit of life enhancement you'll find it on the iPlayer. No but it was it was so good, so good. Okay just when you mentioned Kate Winslet I think somewhere and this may have actually been a fever dream of hope that there is a season two of The Mayor of Easttown you know that amazing amazing series she did about two years ago which was pretty much about the opioid crisis across the Rust Belt but she was so good in that

Jane. I mean I think she's a great actress. Yeah, so I hope that's coming back and that's not just a figment of my imagination. Right, ending on this then, meeting the Royals, it's going to remain anonymous. Back in the summer of 1998 my now husband and I had just become engaged and we're incredibly excited. Now comes the slightly niche bit of the encounter. You said it, not us. At that point my new fiancé was a polo playing, late 20 something. This is very on brand, Jane. And on this particular day he was playing

in a charity tournament against a team which included the then Prince Charles. After the match there was much jolly handshaking and milling about with the players. It was at this point that Prince Charles was introduced to my husband and then to me as his new fiancé. Prince Charles with barely a blink smiled at us, raised an eyebrow and said, are you sure that's wise? And then with a wink and a laugh he was off. What a wit! That's our king! But that is a, in a way it's just, as our correspondent knows, it's one of those classic encounters with royalty. I mean, it's not particularly witty. It's not particularly nice. It's not particularly nice. But everyone is on

a bound to chuckle. Get on with their day. Yes, how very interesting, as the late Queen did say. Jane and Fee at Times.Radio, if you'd like to contribute to whatever this is, we read every email. I'm sorry that we can't get to every email and it'll be Jane's turn to do the executive tote handout tomorrow. Good luck with that. Congratulations, you've staggered somehow to the end of another Off Air with Jane and Fee. Thank you. If you'd like to hear us do this live, and we do do it live every day Monday to Thursday 2 till 4

on Times Radio. The jeopardy is off the scale and if you listen to this you'll understand exactly why that's the case. So you can get the radio online on DAB or on the free Times Radio app. Off Air is produced by Eve Salisbury and the executive producer is Rosie Cutler. Are you listening to this podcast in your car or on your commute to work. Maybe while you're dropping your kids off at school. I'm Dan Snow and on my podcast Dan Snow's History Hit, I transport you to somewhere a little more exciting. With in-depth series and storytelling, unravel the mysteries of the Inca at Machu Picchu,

follow the footsteps of Howard Carter to Tutankhamun's tomb and hunt down Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. For historical adventure and escapism, check out Dan Snow's History Hit wherever you get your podcasts.