Strictly Come Dancing 2005BBC handout photo of Sarah Manners and Brendan Cole who took part in the first show of the second series of Strictly Come Dancing shown Saturday October 23 2004. PA Photo: Kieron McCarron/BBC Handout(Image: (Image: Press Association))

Former BBC Strictly and TV star quit acting for an entirely different job

Former Doctors star Sarah Manners, who played Joanna Helm in the BBC daytime soap, has opened up about her decision to leave acting behind for a more 'everyday' job

by · NottinghamshireLive

A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant and soap actor has swapped the limelight for a life teaching Pilates, as she sought a break from the constant travel of acting gigs. Sarah Manners, originally from Birmingham, made her mark in the acting world with her role as Joanna Helm in BBC's Doctors since its inception in 2000.

Doctors fans adored her portrayal of receptionist Joanna which saw her embroiled in high-stakes drama. Reflecting on her time on the show, Sarah stated in an interview with The Mirror: "I got the best storylines in the world in Doctors."

Her memorable Doctors plotlines were just the beginning, as she went on to star in Holby City as Bex Reynolds and ITV's The Bill where she played Kirsty Knight. In 2004, she took to the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Brendan Cole, and secured a respectable fifth place.

In 2014, Sarah Manners decided to step back from her acting career to focus on becoming a certified Pilates instructor. Discussing this significant change, she shared her insights on the challenges of the acting profession and her preference for stability as she told The Mirror: "Being an actress is a tough job and it's great fun when you're younger."

"But if you want to settle down and have a family, it means long stretches away from them, and that wasn't something I wanted to do," she explained in a 2022 interview with We Are Tech Women. Sarah described how she was immediately captivated by Pilates, saying she got "hooked" and quickly set about training to become an instructor—a passion ignited by her fascination with human biology from her time in school, reports the Express.

After her daughter was born, Sarah decided to concentrate on developing her own Pilates technique rather than continue a dispersed acting career. Not only has Sarah made a name for herself in the wellness sector, but she also ventured into technology by developing and introducing her Pilates app, Pilates On Tap, in 2022—a year that also saw her recognised as an 'Inspirational Woman In Tech' by We Are Tech Women.