Strictly’s Katya Jones talks about her ‘challenging’ 30th

Katya Jones has spoken out about the demise of her seven-year marriage to Neil Jones. 

In an interview with Waggel, the Strictly star, 31, reflected on how she found her 30th birthday ‘challenging’ because her marriage to Neil, 38, was going ‘downhill’.  

Katya and Neil announced their separation in September 2019- ten months after she was pictured kissing her former dancer partner Seann Walsh.  

Talking about the dark period, she said: ‘In 2019 I turned 30, it was a challenging time. I didn’t like where I was, it felt like I was in limbo actually. 

‘My relationship was going downhill. I didn’t feel happy in my own company until May 2020, when I spent my birthday in lockdown.’

Katya also revealed she has used the time since her split from Neil to ‘better myself’ and hasn’t dated since they broke-up.

She said: ‘I’ve come out of a marriage, not even a long-term relationship, but a marriage. Neil and I were together for 12-years, married for 7.’ 

The professional dancer said she hasn’t even thought about dating because ‘I’ve just been with this person for such a long time’.   

Katya added she is ‘happy on my own’ but does have days where she wants to ‘sit down and binge Netflix with someone else’.

The Strictly star also ruled out the prospect of meeting someone on a dating app because she is an ‘old romantic’. 

While Katya has remained single since the breakdown of her marriage, Neil had a turbulent brief romance with Columbian dancer Luisa Eusse. 

The couple split last month after their relationship was marred by claims Luisa had cheated on Neil and was also just using him for a visa into the country. 

Katya admitted she got ‘jealous’ when their dog Crumble, whom they share custody with, spent time with Luisa, but says she is sure if the situation arises again when one of them is in a relationship, it will be ‘absolutely fine’.     

Katya met Neil back in 2003 when the duo formed a dance partnership. They began dating in 2008 and five years later were married. 

Their relationship hit a rocky patch when Katya kissed her former dance partner in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing which lead to great scrutiny from viewers. 

However the pair remained a united front, and just when we thought they had moved on they announced the shocking news that they were splitting on Instagram.  

The heartbreaking post read: ‘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.’

They finished: ‘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.’