Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has been a part of the show for a number of years but has not always taken part in the competition
13:13, 18 Oct 2025
Strictly Come Dancing is back with a bang, boasting a fresh line-up of celebs ready to strut their stuff – but once again Neil Jones is without a partner.
On Saturday (October 18) the 2025 cast take to the dance floor once more to show off their best moves, along with their hardworking professional dancers.
This year’s celeb line-up includes huge stars likes of Amber Davies, Jimmy Floyd, George Clarke, Alex Kingston, Ellie Golstein and La Voix.
However, not all of the beloved professional dancers will be joining the BBC competition this year, and that includes show favourite Neil Jones.
Neil is a firm favourite(Image: PA)
Cheerful Neil Jones has been a staple in the Strictly professional family since 2016, but for the first few years, he wasn’t assigned a partner.
He twirled with two celebrities on Christmas specials and it wasn’t until 2019 that Neil was finally given his first partner on the series, footballer Alex Scott, reports the Express. They made quite a splash in the competition, securing fifth place, but the following year, Neil was once again relegated to the group dances.
He came back in 2021 with former EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, but they were the first duo to be booted off. And last year, Neil was partnered with pop star Toyah Wilcox, coming in 14th place.
He competed last year(Image: BBC)
Despite being part of Strictly, not all of the dancers are guaranteed to compete; instead they’re used for those big glitzy routines on a Sunday night for the results show. So while Neil is one of the more memorable professionals on the programme, he has only participated in the contest three times.
Who’s been your fave Strictly star this year? Take our poll below, and if you can’t see it click here
Also sitting out of the competition for the 2025 series is Russian dancer Luba Mushtuk who was paired with Olympic rower James Cracknell OBE, the first to be booted off, followed by American footballer Jason Bell in 2020, who was the second to be voted off. She has been part of the professional dancers’ line-up since 2018 but Luba has been part of the Strictly family for years, working as an assistant choreographer.
Neil is a dad to one daughter(Image: GETTY)
Although he’s been benched for the Strictly 2025 series, Neil is still busy appearing on the show every Saturday night. He also recently joined the team at BBC’s Morning Live, and his family life is also keeping him occupied.
In October he and his Love Island star fiancée Chyna Mills’ were celebrating as their daughter, Havana, who they welcomed in October 2023, turned two.
He was in the headlines a few years ago(Image: BBC)
Neil found himself in the spotlight for a very different reason a few years ago, thanks to his ex-wife and dance partner Katya Jones. She was snapped kissing her celebrity dance partner and comedian Seann Walsh on a night out in 2018 and went on to dance in the live show together, making for awkward viewing for fans.
Neil and Katya announced they were going to divorce less than a year later. They released a statement at the time, confirming the end of their six-year marriage.
Strictly Come Dancing airs every weekend on BBC One.
