In a dramatic shake-up that has left Strictly Come Dancing fans reeling, BBC bosses have been forced to make some tough decisions, axing several long-standing professional dancers from the hit show. But amidst the chaos, one fan favorite has emerged victorious: Katya Jones. 🎉💃
Katya, 36, who has been part of the Strictly family since 2016, is set to sign a new contract, marking her 10th anniversary on the glitzy dance competition. A source close to the show exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail that BBC bosses were “desperate” to keep her on board. “They know how popular she is with viewers and how much they admire her choreography talents,” the insider explained. 💥
The recent Strictly bloodbath saw long-time professionals like Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Márquez, 35, all being axed from the series. According to sources, all the professional dancers are already aware of their fate. The current upheaval follows the departure of Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly last year, who made their final appearance in the Christmas special. BBC is now on the lookout for new hosts to take over. 📺
Despite the major shake-up, Katya remains a key player. “She is not leaving, Katya is remaining on Strictly,” another show source confirmed. “The bosses think she’s a legend. They know how much viewers love her and they are also in awe of her choreography skills.”
Katya’s continued presence on Strictly is no surprise given her history with the show. She quickly became a household name after her debut in 2016, partnering with Ed Balls and earning a top-six finish. Her creativity and enthusiasm caught the eye of both judges and fans. However, it was her 2017 win with celebrity partner Joe McFadden that really cemented her place in Strictly history. 🏆
Katya made further history in 2020 when she was paired with boxer Nicola Adams in the first-ever same-sex partnership on the show. She continued to impress in subsequent seasons, with memorable partnerships with Mike Bushell, Adam Peaty, Tony Adams, and Nigel Harman. But it’s not all been smooth sailing for the talented dancer.
In 2018, Katya made headlines after she was photographed kissing her celebrity partner Seann Walsh during a night out. Katya, who was married to fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones at the time, apologized for the incident, calling it a “one-off mistake.” Both she and Seann were widely criticized, but Katya moved past the scandal, continuing her work on the show. 💔
Katya’s time on Strictly hasn’t been without its awkward moments, though. In 2024, she was paired with GoCompare star Wynne Evans, and the pair had an uncomfortable moment on stage when Katya was seen brushing Wynne’s hand off her waist, with some fans speculating there was tension between them. However, both Katya and Wynne dismissed the claims, calling the incident part of their ongoing “joke” and saying there were no issues between them. 🗣️
Despite the challenges, Katya has remained one of the most beloved and respected pros on the show. As she prepares to mark her 10th anniversary with Strictly, there’s no doubt that the BBC bosses made the right call in securing her future on the show. With her creative routines, infectious energy, and dedication to the art of dance, Katya is ready to continue making Strictly history. 🌟
As for the other pros? Their futures are uncertain as the BBC shakes things up. Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, are rumored to be without celebrity partners this year but may still appear in group dances. Meanwhile, the axed dancers—Nadiya, Gorka, Luba, Michelle, and Karen—have yet to comment on their departures, though their absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans. 😢
With a new era of Strictly looming, Katya Jones’ continued presence offers some stability in the midst of all the change. As she heads into her milestone 10th season, she’ll no doubt be looking to capture another Glitterball Trophy to celebrate the occasion. 💃🏆
