STRICTLY’S Janette Manrara has been left heartbroken by a shock death as she posted an emotional tribute online.
The 40-year-old Strictly It Takes Two presenter took to her Instagram on Sunday to share her sorrow over the death of her friend Anthony ‘TJ’ Paradise.
Janette shared a picture of TJ cuddling his dog on her Instagram Stories and wrote: “Goodbye my beautiful friend” alongside a white heart emoji.
TJ’s husband Bobby Newbury had confirmed his death on May 7 via an Instagram post of his own.
He wrote: “With the heaviest heart I have to let everyone know that my beautiful husband T.J. lost his four year battle with cancer on 5/4/24.
“He was surrounded by loved ones and even in this dark time there was so much light and love in the room.
“If you met him even once you knew how much of an impact he had on the world around him. Nothing will ever be the same.
“I had twenty and a half years of love and memories and now I have a lifetime of missing you. I love you, my sweetheart.”
Janette replied to the post: “I love you Bobby. Sending all the love and light during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
TJ’s memorial service took place on Saturday, May 18, which no doubt prompted Janette’s emotional post.
It is the second major loss to hit Janette in a matter of months, following the tragic death of her former Strictly co-star Robin Windsor.
Robin passed away in February at the age of just 44, leaving Strictly stars past and present heartbroken.
As the dancer was laid to rest in March, Janette shared a series of snaps of them together over the years and captioned them: “Love you always”.
Robin appeared on Strictly Come Dancing between 2010 and 2013 partnering with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Deborah Meaden.
He partnered with Sara Cox, Lisa Riley and Alison Hammond for Strictly Christmas Specials between 2013 and 2015.
He was forced to quit Strictly in 2014 following a back injury or “risk ending up in a wheelchair”.
TRAGIC END
In recent years, after struggling with his mental health, Robin had moved into motivational speaking and corporate team building.
But in 2021, he revealed he had been “cashless since the pandemic” and told how a mix-up left him with a £100,000 tax bill in 2015.
In the weeks before his death, the dancer was working on Fred Olsen’s Cruise ship touring the world.