Katya Jones shared her personal struggles with returning to "Strictly Come Dancing," revealing that she was emotionally distraught after last year's unexpected exit from the competition. She expressed uncertainty about facing another intense season but ultimately decided to continue participating due to fan support and her own love for the show. The article focuses on Jones's emotional journey, including her tearful acknowledgment of past mistakes during a spin-off episode, which garnered praise from judges and audience alike despite leading to her exit.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Katya Jones, a dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, shared her struggles with returning to the show. She expressed doubt about continuing due to the intense nature of the competition and feelings of disappointment after last year's unexpected exit, which left her heartbroken. Jones said that if she ever stops loving the show, she will leave it behind. Her decision was influenced by an emotional moment on a spin-off show where she discussed the circumstances leading to her and partner Chris Ramsey's departure from the competition. This year, the show is hosted by new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Jones admitted that external expectations and personal aspirations contributed to her emotional struggle with Strictly Come Dancing's demands.
Written for “Strictly Come Dancing Controversy” on 2026-10-09,
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Jones admitted she “wasn’t sure if she could face” any further disappointment when asked to return for the new series - which is hosted by new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
uncertain
which → admit → presenters
“Every year, I do question myself, like really think, ‘Are you ready for this really intense, really all-consuming thing again and again and again and again?’” she told MailOnline.
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she → question → MailOnline
“Every time I ask myself, and if the answer is still yes, I’ll be here doing it.
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I → ask → it
And I must say, last year I was very heartbroken.
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I → say → ?
So there was a lot of doubt, like, ‘Can I face it again?’”
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I → be → it
Jones added: “I guess our expectation was so high and not even from us, externally, you kind of see yourself getting all the way there.
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yourself → add → us
And then to have had it cut short was a little bit tough.”
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it → cut → ?
Jones also said that the moment she “doesn’t love Strictly” is the moment she will “walk away”.
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she → say → Strictly
The dancer broke down in tears last year on Strictly’s spin-off show, It Takes Two, while discussing hers and Cope’s exit from the competition in December.
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It → break → December
"Looking back, obviously, I can't help but think I could have done things differently to make things better for him," she said while crying.
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she → look → him
"He can only do what I've asked him to do, and he didn't just do that this time.
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he → ask → that
He did that every single time.
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He → do → that
We were in a tough position expected to deliver these almost-perfect, show stopping routines every single Saturday, which you did.
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you → expect → which
I don't know how you did.
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you → know → ?
But you did."
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you → do → ?
The routine left judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas on their feet, while the studio erupted into thunderous applause.
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studio → leave → applause
The couple was awarded 31 points, after Anton Du Beke declared the routine “extraordinary” and Craig Revel Horwood applauded the dance as “classy, elegant and graceful”.
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Horwood → award → dance
The pair also topped the leaderboard last week and Nellis is now among the favourites to win the show.
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Nellis → top → show
Read More
Jones has been on 10 series of Strictly and is a seasoned favourite with fans - but has also experienced her fair share of scandal.
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Jones → read → scandal
At the time, Walsh was in a five-year relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries, whilst Jones was married to fellow professional dancer on the show Neil Jones.
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Jones → marry → Jones
The kiss took place on Humphries’ birthday.
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kiss → take → birthday
The controversy went from bad to worse when Humphries spoke out about what had gone on, alleging that Walsh had called her a “psycho” for suggesting that something might be going on between him and Jones, despite fans noticing their undeniable chemistry.
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fans → go → chemistry
The pair appeared on the BBC Two spin-off show It Takes Two to address the situation, which they called a one-off mistake.
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they → appear → which
They were voted off the show a few weeks later in October 2018.
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They → vote → October
The following year, Jones and Neil announced their separation, though claimed it had nothing to do with the kissing scandal.
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it → announce → scandal
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