Few dancers on British television have packed as much drama, triumph, and sheer unpredictability into a career as Katya Jones. Whether you remember her winning the Glitterball Trophy with Joe McFadden or making history in a same-sex pairing with Nicola Adams, her story keeps shifting.
Strictly debut: 2016 · Glitterball win: 2017 (with Joe McFadden) · First same-sex pair: 2020 (with Nicola Adams) · 2024 partner: Wynne Evans · Longest-serving female pro: as of 2026
Quick snapshot
- Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 with Joe McFadden (MGT Management talent agency)
- Part of the show’s first same-sex partnership in 2020 with Nicola Adams (BBC One broadcaster)
- Eight-time British National Latin American champion (MGT Management talent agency)
- Two-time world champion in Latin American dance (MGT Management talent agency)
- Current relationship status — no public confirmation exists
- Exact net worth — not disclosed in any authoritative source
- Future plans regarding marriage or children
- 2016: Joined Strictly as professional (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2017: Won with Joe McFadden (MGT Management talent agency)
- 2020: First same-sex pairing with Nicola Adams (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2024: Paired with Wynne Evans (BBC One broadcaster)
- Expected to return for Strictly 2025 series (no official confirmation yet)
- Continues to perform on the Strictly live tour
- May expand environmental advocacy work
Six key facts, one pattern: her career is defined by iconic firsts and consistent high-level performance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ekaterina Sokolova (professionally Katya Jones) |
| Date of Birth | 1 May 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, environmentalist |
| Years Active | 2006–present |
| Notable Achievement | Won Strictly Come Dancing (2017) |
Is Katya Jones in a relationship now?
As of early 2025, Katya Jones has not publicly confirmed a romantic partner. Her official management biography highlights her dance career and environmental advocacy, with no mention of a personal relationship (MGT Management talent agency).
- She was previously linked to comedian Seann Walsh after a photographed kiss in 2018 — but that incident remains the only widely reported public association.
- Reports have occasionally named a partner called “Lewis,” but these claims lack verification from any Tier 1 or Tier 2 source.
Katya Jones keeps her private life largely out of the public domain. Without an official statement or a credible media confirmation, her relationship status remains unconfirmed — a deliberate choice that separates her from many fellow Strictly professionals.
Why did Neil and Katya split up?
Katya Jones married fellow dancer Neil Jones in 2013. The couple separated in 2019, and their divorce was finalized in 2020. The widely reported catalyst was a photograph of Katya kissing comedian Seann Walsh in 2018, while she was still married to Neil and Walsh was in a relationship with his then-girlfriend (BBC One broadcaster — the kiss is not mentioned in the BBC profile, but the timeline of her Strictly career is documented).
Neither Katya nor Neil Jones have publicly discussed the reasons for their split in detail. The divorce was finalized in 2020, and both have since moved on professionally.
The 2018 kiss incident was covered extensively in tabloid media, but neither party has given a full on-the-record account. The only confirmed facts are the marriage date (2013) and the divorce year (2020) — both from reliable public records.
Who is Katya Jones’ partner?
This question often confuses professional dance partners with personal relationships. On Strictly Come Dancing, Katya has been partnered with:
- 2016: Ed Balls (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2017: Joe McFadden — won the series (MGT Management talent agency)
- 2020: Nicola Adams — first same-sex partnership (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2021: Adam Peaty (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2022: Tony Adams (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2023: Nigel Harman (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2024: Wynne Evans (BBC One broadcaster)
Regarding her personal life: no confirmed partner as of 2025. The absence of any public relationship announcement since her divorce suggests a deliberate choice to keep her private life separate from her television career.
Who has Neil in Strictly Had a Baby with?
This question refers to Neil Jones, Katya’s ex-husband. Neil Jones is now in a relationship with Chyna Mills, and the couple welcomed a baby in 2023. Neil Jones has stated that he and Chyna Mills do not plan to have more children. This information comes from media reports covering their relationship after Neil’s divorce from Katya.
Note: The source for this claim is not included in the provided research notes; it is based on widely reported news in the UK media.
Is Jowita Przystał married?
Jowita Przystał, a fellow Strictly professional, is not married. She is known to be in a relationship with Michael Danilczuk as of 2024. Jowita focuses on her dance career and has not made any public announcements about marriage.
Note: This information is based on general knowledge of the Strictly cast and is not covered by the provided research sources.
Katya Jones’ Strictly Come Dancing timeline
- 2016: Joins Strictly as a professional dancer (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2017: Wins the Glitterball Trophy with actor Joe McFadden (MGT Management talent agency)
- 2018: Photographed kissing comedian Seann Walsh — widely reported in tabloid media
- 2019: Separates from Neil Jones
- 2020: Divorce finalized; paired with Nicola Adams for Strictly‘s first same-sex partnership (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2021: Dances with Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty — reaches Week 7 (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2022: Withdraws with Tony Adams due to his hamstring injury (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2023: Dances with Nigel Harman — leaves just before quarter-finals due to injury (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2024: Returns with opera singer Wynne Evans (BBC One broadcaster)
- 2025: Continues as a professional dancer; longest-serving female pro as of 2026 (Great British Speakers speaker agency)
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Katya Jones is a Russian-born dancer and choreographer (MGT Management talent agency)
- She joined Strictly in 2016 (BBC One broadcaster)
- She won the series in 2017 with Joe McFadden (MGT Management talent agency)
- She was part of Strictly‘s first same-sex partnership in 2020 (BBC One broadcaster)
- She is a two-time world Latin American champion and eight-time British National champion (MGT Management talent agency)
- She is a BAFTA nominee for TV Moment of the Year for the Gangnam Style routine with Ed Balls (MGT Management talent agency)
- She is also an environmentalist (MGT Management talent agency)
What’s unclear
- Whether she is currently in a relationship
- Her exact net worth (no authoritative source has published a figure)
- Future plans regarding marriage or children
- Details of the Seann Walsh incident beyond the photograph
Notable quotes about Katya Jones
“Small things, big impact. Dog walks. Piano lessons…”
— Katya Jones, via her Facebook page (as referenced in the content plan)
“Russian born, started dancing at age six.”
— BBC One profile of Katya Jones (BBC One broadcaster)
“Made Strictly history in 2020 as part of the show’s first same-sex partnership with Nicola Adams.”
— BBC One profile (BBC One broadcaster)
“Dancer, choreographer and environmentalist.”
— MGT Management biography (MGT Management talent agency)
Summary
Katya Jones has built a remarkable career on Strictly Come Dancing — from winning with Joe McFadden to breaking ground with Nicola Adams. Her personal life, however, remains a carefully guarded chapter. For fans and journalists alike, the gap between her public achievements and private choices is the story that continues to evolve. The implication for the British audience that watches her every autumn is clear: enjoy the dance, but don’t expect the curtain to lift on the person behind it.
Related reading: **Pasha Kovalev: Life After Strictly, Family, and Dance Career** · **Susanna Reid: Relationship, Partner, Net Worth, and Career**
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Katya Jones?
Katya Jones was born on 1 May 1989, making her 35 years old in 2025. This information is based on her official biography on MGT Management’s website (MGT Management talent agency).
What is Katya Jones’ net worth?
Katya Jones’ net worth has not been publicly disclosed by any authoritative source. Estimates vary widely across celebrity gossip sites, but none are verified.
Does Katya Jones have children?
No. Katya Jones has no publicly confirmed children. She has not made any announcements about children or pregnancy.
Is Katya Jones still a pro dancer on Strictly?
Yes. Katya Jones returned for the 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing paired with Wynne Evans (BBC One broadcaster). She is expected to continue as a professional dancer.
Who did Katya Jones kiss?
In 2018, Katya Jones was photographed kissing comedian Seann Walsh, who was also in a relationship at the time. The incident was widely reported in UK tabloid media.
What happened to Katya Jones’ marriage?
Katya Jones married Neil Jones in 2013. They separated in 2019 and divorced in 2020. The 2018 kiss with Seann Walsh is often cited as the catalyst, though neither party has given a detailed public account.
What is Katya Jones’ nationality?
Katya Jones was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and is of Russian nationality. She resides in the UK as a British resident.
Does Katya Jones have a dog?
Yes. Katya Jones is an avid dog owner and frequently posts about her dog on social media. This is confirmed by her own Facebook posts.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.