Katya Jones is a Russian dancer and choreographer who is most famous for her role on the BBC ballroom show Strictly Come Dancing. Over the course of her three years on the show, she has danced with Ed Balls, Joe McFadden, with whom she won the show, and Seann Walsh. This month, Katya announced she had fellow Strictly Come Dancing cast member Neil Jones had separated – ten months after she was pictured kissing her Strictly dance partner Seann. And now the dancer will appear on Pointless Celebrities tonight – but what is the real reason the couple’s marriage broke down?
Who is Katya Jones?
Katya Jones is a professional dancer who was born in Ekaterina Andreevna sokolova in St Petersburg, Russia.
She began dancing at six years old and formed a partnership with Neil Jones in 2003.
Together, the couple won the World Professional Latin Showdance Championships in 2015 – and were also four times undefeated British National Professional Champions.
Why did Katya and Neil Jones break up?
Katya Jones, nee Sokolova, married fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Neil in August 2013.
However, just six years later, the couple confirmed their separation on Instagram.
In a joint statement, they said: “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”.
Their decision to separate comes a year after the 16th series of Strictly was saturated in scandal following a kiss between contestant Seann Walsh and Katya Jones, both of whom were in relationships at the time.
The pair were pictured kissing in the street outside a London pub while on a night out.
They each took to Twitter to apologise for their actions and at the time Katya said: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions.
“I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks.
“I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.”
While Seann posted: “In light of the story in today’s newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions.
“This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 will be launching on BBC One this September and Pointless Celebrities featuring Katya will air on BBC One at 5.45pm today..