Two years after her divorce from fellow Strictly star Neil Jones was finalised, Katya says she's ready to find love again – but most men are too 'intimidated' to approach her
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Katya Jones ranks as one of Strictly Come Dancing's most instantly recognisable dance professionals – not only winning in 2017 with Holby City's Joe McFadden but becoming half of the show's first same-sex couple when she was paired with boxer Nicola Adams in 2020.
But she's also fallen foul of the so-called "Strictly Curse", being caught on camera in a clinch with celebrity partner, Seann Walsh during the show's 2018 run – a moment that led to the collapse of her five-year marriage to fellow professional dancer Neil Jones.
And for the past five years or so, she says, she's been distinctly unlucky in love: "Men never approach me," she told Fabulous magazine. "They never slide into my DMs."
![LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Katya Jones seen leaving BBC after Strictly Come Dancing's 2022 professional dancers performance outside The One Show set on April 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)]()
Katya says she's been happy on her own, but now she's ready for love again (Image: Ricky Vigil M, GC Imagesvia Getty Images) Katya says she's afraid that men are "intimidated" by her, and while she's been happily single since her split with Neil, she's beginning too feel that she needs someone in her life again: "I've been happy on my own 100%, but I'm really ready to meet someone now. I have so much love to give and I would love to share it."
The Russian-born star says that, in the modern age, dating is tricky – and her fame only makes things harder: "Unfortunately, being in the public eye has hurdles, too, so I can't really go on normal dating apps.
"Of course I've tried [celebrity dating app] Raya, but I think I need a friend of a friend. I'm open to it."
![BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Wynne Evans and Katya Jones attend the "Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour 2025" photocall at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on January 16, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)]()
She backed Wynne amid the Strictly 'sex toy' controversy (Image: Eamonn M. McCormack, Getty Images) Katya, 35, says she's hoping that she can "find a partner to have babies with". She adds that she's not sure about marrying again: "I'm not ruling it out. It's got to be the right person," she says.
As well as backstage romances, Strictly has had its fair share of controversy and drama behind the scenes.
Most recently, an "immature" video clip shared in the Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp group has landed Katya's former celebrity dance partner Wynne Evans in hot water.
![LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Katya Jones seen arriving at a dance studio for Strictly Come Dancing 2020 rehearsals on November 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)]()
Kata says men are too 'intimidated' to slide into her DMs (Image: Neil Mockford, GC Imagesvia Getty Images) Opera singer Wynne is also said to have sent a sex toy as a "joke" to fellow Strictly contestant Jamie Borthwick. Following the furore, show producers took action.
A source said: "As soon as BBC executives were made aware of this shocking and immature footage being shared they formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally."
But Katya has stood up for the "incredible" 53-year-old singer, saying that from her point of view she had a "brilliant" partnership with him.
