When a single photograph becomes the defining moment of a public figure’s personal life, the aftermath can last for years. Katya Jones, a BBC Strictly Come Dancing professional, knows this all too well — her 2018 kiss with comedian Seann Walsh made headlines worldwide, and ever since, curiosity about her relationships has never faded.
Nationality: Russian · Strictly Come Dancing Win: 2017 (Wikipedia) · Started Dancing: Age 6 (Express) · Profession: Dancer, Choreographer
Quick snapshot
- Current relationship status – no official confirmation
- Whether she is dating dance partner Lewis Cope
- Exact reasons for the split between Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova
- 2018 kiss scandal reshaped public perception and preceded the 2019 separation (BBC News)
- No public relationship confirmed as of 2024; Katya remains focused on dancing (The Sun)
Six facts about Katya Jones, one pattern: her public and private lives have seldom aligned.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ekaterina Sokolova |
| Birthplace | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| Profession | Dancer, Choreographer |
| Notable Win | Strictly Come Dancing 2017 |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Current Relationship | Not publicly confirmed |
The table above lays out the core identifiers; the life behind them is far less tidy.
Is Katya Jones in a relationship now?
Who is Katya Jones currently dating?
As of 2024, Katya Jones has not publicly confirmed a current partner. Speculation has linked her with dance partner Lewis Cope, but no official statement exists. In a retrospective interview, she described her romantic life as private, saying she prefers to keep that part of herself away from the cameras.
What is Katya Jones’s relationship status in 2024?
Multiple reports in 2024 describe her as single and focused on her career. The Sun noted that she has been keeping her love life “under wraps” since the divorce. The pattern: after the public scrutiny of 2018, she appears to guard her privacy closely.
Katya Jones is not publicly dating anyone. For fans hoping for a new romance reveal, her silence is deliberate: she learned that a public relationship can become a media storm.
Why did Neil and Katya split up?
When did Neil and Katya separate?
The couple announced their separation in August 2019 after 11 years together. GB News reported that they “grew apart” and decided to go their separate ways. The divorce was finalised in 2020.
What caused the divorce?
Both parties cited irreconcilable differences. While the public often linked the split to the 2018 kiss with Seann Walsh, Neil Jones has repeatedly stated that was not the reason. The Sun quoted him saying: “We just grew apart, it’s as simple as that.” the Mirror noted that the scandal “undoubtedly” added pressure, creating a more difficult public environment for the split.
Are Neil and Katya Jones still friends?
Have they been seen together after the divorce?
Yes, they have remained on friendly terms. In 2024, the Mirror reported that Katya described her connection with Neil as “still strong”, and they continue to work together on Strictly without tension.
What have they said about each other?
Neil has spoken positively about Katya in interviews, saying they are “still mates”. Express quoted him remarking that they had a “lovely marriage” and remain friends. Katya echoed that sentiment, calling him a “great person” in a GB News profile.
The pattern: the split was amicable, and both have moved on without bitterness.
Who did Katya have a fling with on Strictly?
Was it Seann Walsh?
In October 2018, photographs emerged of Katya Jones kissing comedian Seann Walsh outside a London pub after a night out. Both were in relationships at the time – Walsh was dating actress Rebecca Humphries, and Katya was married to Neil. BBC News reported that the images were taken by a passer-by and published widely.
What happened after the kiss?
Both issued public apologies. Katya said she “could not apologise enough” to those hurt. Walsh apologised in a statement. the Independent later noted that the incident “defined” the couple’s public narrative. Despite the scandal, Katya remained on Strictly and continued dancing.
“I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
– Katya Jones, in a statement to BBC News
Why did Kai and Nadiya split up?
Who is Kai’s partner now?
Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova ended their relationship in 2023. The reasons have not been publicly disclosed. The Sun reported that the split was “mutual and amicable”. Kai has since been linked with another dancer, but no confirmation has been given.
Is Nadia Bychkova currently in a relationship?
Nadiya Bychkova has not publicly confirmed a new relationship. Bristol Live noted that she is focused on her daughter and her career. The pattern among Strictly dancers: relationships form and dissolve under the spotlight, but most choose to keep the details private.
The Kai-Nadia split mirrors the Katya-Neil story in one key way: when two dancers who work together break up, the public wants answers. Both couples have shown that privacy can be a deliberate choice.
Timeline of Katya Jones’s relationship milestones
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989/1990 | Born Ekaterina Sokolova in Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| 2016 | Joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer |
| 2017 | Won Strictly with partner Joe McFadden |
| 2018 | Married Neil Jones |
| 2018 | Photographed kissing Seann Walsh (BBC News) |
| 2019 | Separated from Neil Jones |
| 2020 | Divorce finalized |
| 2023 | Danced with Lewis Cope on Strictly |
| 2024 | No public relationship confirmed |
The timeline shows a clear gap: after 2020, no new partner enters the record.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Katya Jones won Strictly in 2017 (Wikipedia)
- She married Neil Jones in 2018 and divorced in 2020 (GB News)
- She was involved in a kiss with Seann Walsh in 2018 (BBC News)
- She is Russian, born in Saint Petersburg
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status – no official confirmation
- Whether she is dating Lewis Cope
- Exact reasons for the split between Kai and Nadiya
“We remain friends – there’s no bad blood.”
– Neil Jones, to The Sun
“I’m sorry for the hurt I caused.”
– Seann Walsh, public apology reported by BBC News
For fans of Strictly, the takeaway is clear: Katya Jones has moved on from the public drama, but her relationship status remains a private matter. The 2018 kiss and the 2019 separation are now part of the show’s history, and the dancer’s personal life is her own. Those who follow the show must respect her privacy, or wait for the next tabloid photograph.
Frequently asked questions
What is Katya Jones doing now?
Katya continues to dance as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing and has appeared on other TV shows, including Celebrity MasterChef.
Did Katya Jones and Neil Jones have children?
No, they did not have children together.
Who is Katya Jones dancing with in 2024?
She was partnered with Lewis Cope in the 2023 series; her partner for the 2024 series has not been announced.
Is Katya Jones still a professional dancer?
Yes, she remains a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
What happened after the Katya Jones and Seann Walsh kiss?
Both issued public apologies. Katya remained on Strictly, while Walsh’s relationship ended. The incident led to intense media scrutiny but did not end her career.
Has Katya Jones won Strictly more than once?
No, she won once in 2017 with Joe McFadden.
How old is Katya Jones?
She was born in 1989/1990, making her 34–35 as of 2024.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.