Katya Jones, a single Strictly Come Dancing star, explains her journey to finding the man she wants to be and to return to the BBC program.
When it comes to finding love, Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones is an eternal optimist. The Russian star still hopes to waltz off with the man of her dreams… and become a mum.
I might meet someone today, Katya, 36. You wake up without knowing who you might encounter. I must look good; I must be upbeat and ready. However, the dancer believes some men may be too apprehensive to approach her.
During her 10 years on the hit BBC show, Katya has made headlines both and off the dancefloor. It comes as former Strictly stars Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones split as he joins a notorious dating app on a lads’ holiday.
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In 2017, Katya lifted the famous Glitterball trophy when she won the series with Holby City actor Joe McFadden. And three years later, she made history when she was paired with boxer Nicola Adams, becoming the first same-sex couple to ever compete in the show.
But she has had her fair share of scandal, too. Last year, a “private joke” with her opera singer partner Wynne Evans backfired. And in 2018, Katya was pictured kissing her dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, in the street.
The clinch – which came after a boozy afternoon – ended her six-year marriage to fellow Strictly dancer Neil Jones and also wrecked Seann’s relationship with his then-girlfriend. Katya has said of the kiss: “I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after drinks.”
The dancer has since been linked to William Abbotts, a former football player and property mogul. Before going on a date, it is said that the pair had gone on a few dates in 2023.
Now, Katya thinks that dating is too awkward for them to even start talking to her. She claims that because women have fought to be so independent and powerful and do our own thing, it might send them ambiguous messages like, “Can I approach or can I not?” I fully understand why they might be hesitant at times, but I’m always open and ready to get in touch with them.
Despite being on dating apps, including the A-list favourite Raya, Katya is yet to strike gold – but she is still hopeful her Prince Charming will sweep her off her feet. Inspired by her good friend and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara, who welcomed daughter Lyra with fellow Strictly dancer Aljaz Škorjanec in 2023, Katya says she would love to start a family one day.
I want to have children with a good-looking father, but I have nieces I can spend my time on right now, or the children of my friends, like Janette. It is really inspiring to watch her do everything and become a mother as well. It just proves that having the willpower to do it all.
For Katya, it is interesting to hear about women who have frozen their eggs so they can have children in later life. She continues, “I’ve spoken to women who have done it, which is surprisingly surprising. I still believe in meeting people naturally, though. That would be lovely.
Katya is still good friends with her ex Neil, 43, who is dad to daughter Havana with his fiancee, former Love Islander Chyna Mills. Neil and Katya often work closely together on Strictly – and even share their dogs. Katya says of the arrangement: “They had them for some time. Now it’s my turn.
“We’re absolutely still on good terms. 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. We were the only people there for each other so of course there is a much more profound connection there. You can’t just throw that away.”
When she was just six years old, Katya, who was born in Saint Petersburg, began dancing. Tatiana and Andrey, her parents, Tatiana and Andrey, encouraged her to make a star-studded move, and they both studied Latin and ballroom.
Katya is currently rehearsing for Strictly, and this will be her tenth season. Katya anticipates this year’s production by saying, “I’ve done it for ten years and had a lot of characters. I’d like to believe I did it well. So I’m just there to make sure everyone I meet has a great time.
Katya recently left Belgium and competed on Dancing with the Stars in the past. She claims, “I’ve worked in this [industry] for a long time as a choreographer, creative, and professional dancer. I’ve been subjected to criticism, and I feel like having been criticized before and also having had my own world championship experiences. I am aware of what they are going through.
Katya claims to be in good shape and is enjoying being in her 30s as she prepares to hit the dance floor once more. She claims that she has loved her 30 years. I’m currently the most active and healthy. In my 30s, I can only now perform the splits. Gymnastics was a struggle for me when I was younger because I was so inflexible, but now I can do it with consistency and joy.
“I’m into my padel [a racquet sport] and boxing. I love movement so I’m feeling on top of the world, to be honest.”
*Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC1 in September
