Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has shared a rare insight into her past marriage to co-star Neil Jones following their very public split five years ago.
The end of their six-year marriage in 2019 followed a huge scandal that saw Jones and her celebrity partner in that series, comedian Seann Walsh, being photographed passionately kissing despite both being in committed relationships.
The professional dance couple divorced in 2019, with Neil going on to claim the cheating scandal wasn’t the reason for the pair going their separate ways.
While the two still work on the show, they aren’t often seen together and neither of them talks much about their past marriage.
In a rare move though, Katya, who is enjoying a successful run in the current series alongside opera singer Wynne Evans, reminisced about a happy memory with her ex as she reflected on an “unforgettable” moment.
With the milestone Blackpool Week coming up, the professionals have opened up about why the coveted marker in the competition means so much.
Katya and Neil Jones divorced in 2019 but both still star in BBC Strictly
Getty
When asked about moments she’s experienced in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the 35-year-old dancer replied: “I have performed in Blackboard multiple times in my professional career, and one of the most unforgettable moments was when Neil and I made it into the final of the World Open Blackpool Dance Championships.”
The Russian choreographer continued: “It wasn’t even the winning, but making that first breakthrough into the final was really unbelievable to the point where when they called out our number, we didn’t walk out because we didn’t believe it was us.”
Neil now shares a baby with his fiancée Chyna Mills, who found fame on Love Island in 2022.
Katya opened up earlier this year about how the two have remained close, commenting: “Gosh, we knew each other since we were 18 and started dancing. We lived a life together. It was me and him against the world, chasing our dreams.”
Katya and Neil Jones divorced in 2019 but both still star in BBC Strictly
Getty
“We were the only people there for each other, so of course there is a much more profound connection there, so you can’t just throw that away,” she added in May while taking to Digital Spy.
Detailing further the significance of making it to Blackpool, Katya explained to the BBC: “It means a lot. Bringing dancing back to where it belongs with Strictly as a dancer is a big deal.
“It means ballroom dancing is still relevant. Knowing that Strictly has been on for 20 years and there’s still so much love for it, it’s a big deal.”
Blackpool often becomes a goal of Strictly couples hoping to experience stepping out onto the iconic floor, but sadly there’s always one celebrity who narrowly misses out on a place in the eagerly-anticipated week.
Unfortunately for Shayne Ward and professional partner Nancy Xu, last week saw them becoming this series’ pair.
They faced the dreaded dance-off against Wynne and Katya, with judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse opting to save Shayne and Nancy.
Katya Jones and Wynne Evans will be heading to Blackpool for next week’s Strictly
BBC
Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas however gave Wynne and Katya the chance to perform in Blackpool, with head judge Ballas having the deciding vote.
The controversial decision has seen some backlash from fans, with many labelling the show a “fix” as they believed Ward to be the better dancer.
Expressing the thoughts behind her decision to send Ward home on Sunday’s Results Show, Ballas, 64, compared the two routines as she commented: “One of you displayed a much more powerful and joyous routine, so it was quite difficult for me to choose.
“But on this occasion, I’m going to save Wynne and Katya.”
