Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has been impressing the public with her dancing routines with celebrity partner Nigel Harman, but what about her life off-screen? The professional dancer was famously married to Neil Jones for six years before calling it quits in August 2019, following her kiss with her 2018 Strictly partner Seann Walsh. Take a look inside her love life before and after her marriage…
Igor Astafiev
Dancer Igor Astafiev dated Katya when the pair both lived in Russia and has claimed that the Strictly star was his first true love. When she left for the UK, he was so heartbroken that he quit dancing altogether.
Neil Jones
Katya and Neil tied the knot in August 2013, after five years of dating. Katya, who started dancing when she was just six years old in Russia, first got close to Neil way back in 2008 when they competed together in Blackpool. Together they went on to win the World Professional Latin Showdance Championships in 2015 and were crowned the British National Professional Champions four times before appearing together on Strictly.
They split in August 2019 and announced the sad news in a joint statement that read: “Hi everyone. As our fans and loyal supporters, you are really important to us and so we wanted to let you know some news. After 11 years we have made the mutual decision to separate.
“We will always love each other, just in a different way as friends. This will never change what a great team we make and we are really proud of everything we have achieved together. Our shared love of dance means we will keep working and dancing together as well as exploring individual projects. No matter what we do we will always support and respect each other.
“We wish one another every happiness and we will remain the best of friends. We are really looking forward to getting back to the ballroom and can’t wait to keep on dancing. Lots of love from us both xx.”
Neil has since found love with Love Island star Chyna Mills. Following their engagement, the couple recently welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Havana. Taking to Instagram, Katya has congratulated the pair on their engagement, as well as their baby news.
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Seann Walsh
Katya was partnered with the comedian during 2018’s series of Strictly Come Dancing and the pair were pictured kissing during a night out, which shocked the nation. Katya addressed the mistake publicly on It Takes Two alongside Seann, saying: “I can’t apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved. But, the main thing, me and Neil are absolutely fine and that’s what matters to me the most right now and focusing on my job and doing it as professionally as I can.”
Post-marriage
Since announcing her split from Neil, Katya has remained tight-lipped about her love life, although it was reported in 2022 that she had joined the celebrity dating app, Raya.
More recently, in July 2023, Katya was linked to property mogul and former footballer William Abbotts, however, neither of them have ever confirmed or denied reports of a romance.
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