Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones is thrilling audiences thanks to her creative choreography with former Emmerdale actor, Lewis Cope. The pair were overjoyed last week when they achieved the first perfect score of the series following a sensational Couple's Choice routine to a swing version of Radiohead's Creep. Away from the show, the Russian-born star was previously married to her co-star, Neil Jones, but they called it quits in August 2019, following her kiss with her 2018 Strictly partner Seann Walsh.
Since then, the professional dancer, who joined the cast of Strictly in 2016, is believed to have remained single, but she has opened up about her desire to one day have children. Read on to find out all you need to know about Katya's relationship history, from her first love to her marriage with Neil.
Igor Astafiev
Dancer Igor Astafiev dated Katya when the pair both lived in Russia and has claimed that the Strictly star was his first true love. When she left for the UK, he was so heartbroken that he quit dancing altogether. He told a local newspaper: "She was my first true love. She was also my last dancing partner and I am not competing since our split. It was deeply painful for both of us. It took me about a year to recover."
Neil Jones
Katya and Neil tied the knot in August 2013, after five years of dating. Katya, who started dancing in Russia when she was just six, first got close to Neil way back in 2008 when they competed together in Blackpool. Together they went on to win the World Professional Latin Showdance Championships in 2015 and were crowned the British National Professional Champions four times before appearing together on Strictly.
They split in August 2019 and announced the sad news in a joint statement that read: "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."
© Photo: Getty ImagesNeil has since found love with Love Island star Chyna Mills. Following their engagement, the couple recently welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Havana. Speaking to HELLO! at the Pride of Britain Awards, and when asked how fatherhood has been treating him, the dancer responded: "Brilliant, just brilliant. I'm just smiling all the time, I can't stop it."
Seann Walsh
© Photo: Getty ImagesKatya was partnered with the comedian during 2018's series of Strictly Come Dancing and the pair were pictured kissing during a night out, which shocked the nation. Katya addressed the mistake publicly on It Takes Two alongside Seann, saying: "I can't apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved. But, the main thing, me and Neil are absolutely fine and that's what matters to me the most right now and focusing on my job and doing it as professionally as I can."
Post-marriage
Since announcing her split from Neil, Katya has remained tight-lipped about her love life, although it was reported in 2022 that she had joined the celebrity dating app, Raya. In July 2023, Katya was linked to property mogul and former footballer William Abbotts, however, neither of them confirmed or denied reports of a romance. Currently, Katya is believed to be single.
Speaking to The Daily Mirror in August, Katya shared her hopes at starting her own family. "I would like to have kids with someone who I believe could be a good father but I've got nieces I can spend my energy on right now, or some of my friends' children, like Janette [Manrara]," she explained. "Seeing how she does everything and is a mother as well is really inspiring. It just shows that you can do it all if you put your mind to it."
