Neil Jones, who wed fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones in 2013, has said people “overreacted” to her kiss with BBC partner Seann Walsh. The comedian, 33, and the Russian dancer were filmed making out during a night out last October, in the middle of the last season of the programme. The 29-year-old and her husband, 36, appeared on the Lorraine show this morning to discuss how they were after the controversy. Host Lorraine Kelly suggested it must have been “really embarrassing” for him, and he agreed saying: “It was a shock.
“For me it was a major shock and I appreciated it of course that Katya told me. I found out from Katya before I saw it in the news.”
“That would’ve been terrible,” Lorraine said, as he continued: “Yeah, and it was. Strictly were fantastic with me, with us all. They supported us all and were helping us.
“It was that shock factor. Straightaway I was more worried for Katya. Because I was like… I could kind of see what was going to happen… as long as she’s going to be okay.”
Katya continued: “There were lots of different emotions and we’ve gone through that. Now that we moved on, we forgot how we felt in that moment.”
Despite what happened, Neil said “the trust is there” as he described the messages he was receiving online at the time.
He went on: “Of course we had a lot of things where people are like, ‘How can you do this?”
“I was getting messages on Instagram saying, ‘You’ve got to leave her!’ I was like, but that’s what’s wrong.”
Asked if she’s still in contact with Seann, Katya said she wasn’t and that he wouldn’t be attending their new tour, SOMNIUM: A Dancer’s Dream.
Katya said: “Yeah [I regret it]. Of course, you just don’t realise the extent of the damage and the people you affect, families, my family, that moment you don’t.
“But then you understand, the whole show, obviously that was horrible, all the professionals and dancers were constantly asked about it and that was unnecessary from me, absolutely.”
Asked if people overreacted, Neil added: “For me, I felt they overreacted.”
ITV viewers took to Twitter to say they were “cringing” at the chat and said the presenter was giving them a “grilling”.
“I am cringing, move on #Lorraine #katya #strictly,” one user remarked, as another agreed: “#Lorraine whoa Katya getting a grilling. Lorraine let it go! #cringe #letitgo #embarrassing.”
A third stated: “#lorraine Come on Lorraine, you’re dragging this interview out with Neil & Katya. They’ve moved on so why the delving?
“Concentrate on what they’re doing on a professional level. Finishing the interview by asking if she’s in touch with Sean… Seriously!”
Lorraine airs weekdays at 8.30am on ITV.