\'Strictly Come Dancing\' star Neil Jones has dubbed his estranged wife Katya Jones as his "favourite dancing partner".
The two professional dancers split last August after six years of marriage and over a decade together, but the pair have remained close friends, with Neil posting a sweet birthday tribute to his former partner for her 31st birthday on Tuesday (12.05.20).
Uploading an old video of them performing together in a dance studio, Neil wrote: "Happy Birthday @mrs_katjones you will always be my favourite dancing partner and that\'s just because you are as mad as me. Never change. (sic)"
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Neil, 38, and Katya chose to end their romance 10 months after Katya was spotting kissing her 2018 \'Strictly Come Dancing\' partner Seann Walsh.
The duo announced their six-year marriage had ended in a statement posted on Instagram.
The statement 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 (sic)"
And a few months after their split, Katya - who received backlash over the kissing scandal - announced she was quitting social media to get away from the "negative" comments.
She said: "I\'m off social media; it\'s not real.
"For me, it\'s real what we\'re doing with our dancing and performance. There\'s no need for negatives. I just want to do my own thing."
29 December 2025 - 3:17 AM
