Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones’ marriage to fellow pro Katya was rocked by the infamous ‘curse’ and his own love life was just as explosive before his romance with Chyna Mills
Neil Jones, who has finally got a celebrity Strictly Come Dancing partner again, has a love life that could rival an explosive EastEnders plot.
The 42-year-old dancer found himself embroiled in a major scandal when his marriage fell victim to the infamous Strictly ‘curse’. Neil, who has been paired with Toyah Willcox on the 2024 series, tied the knot with fellow professional dancer Katya Jones in August 2013, but they announced their separation six years later. Their marriage crumbled in 2019 after enduring months of public scrutiny following the controversy over Katya’s kiss with her then-celebrity dance partner Seann Walsh.
In October 2018, Katya was caught on camera kissing Seann, on his ex-girlfriend Rebecca Humphries’ birthday outside a London pub. The pair subsequently appeared on It Takes Two to address their behaviour. Katya, who maintained at the time that her marriage to Neil was solid, said: “Yes obviously I apologise, and 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 I can.” Initially, the couple stood by each other, but almost a year later, Neil and Katya announced they were getting a divorce.
However, they insisted that the kiss-gate scandal had nothing to do with their decision to end their 11-year relationship. In a heartfelt statement, the duo expressed: “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.” Following the announcement of their split, Neil and Katya’s representative clarified that the decision was recent and not related to any previous snogging scandals.
Post-separation, the pair continued to show warmth towards each other, regularly engaging on social media and sharing birthday accolades. However, Neil couldn’t dodge past controversies, with comedian Seann Walsh making a sharp dig during a performance. At a show in Kennington, Seann referenced the scandal involving Neil by quipping he was “the guy who kissed a gay mans wife,” despite Neil openly discussing his sexuality and reinforcing the presence of straight men in ballroom.
Neil had his fair share of love and drama since splitting with Katya and before settling down with his fiancée Chyna Mills. After falling for Colombian dancer Luisa Eusse, whom he met outside a club, the romance quickly escalated as they moved in together. The couple were inseparable during their five-month whirlwind and even entertained the idea of marriage.
However, the fairy-tale faced trouble amidst reports that Luisa was staying in the UK on an expired visa and then she stirred the pot by announcing her singleness following a lockdown party blunder. When the year turned, Neil sharply labelled his time with Luisa as the “worst mistake” of his life.
Sources close to the star even claimed he felt “embarrassed” by rumours of immigration probes into his former flame. Through an official statement from Neil’s rep, given to The Sun, it was confirmed: “Neil is happy with his decision and is busy focusing on himself and some exciting work projects. He wishes Luisa all the best.”
Luisa didn’t leave the accusations unchallenged; taking a fiery stand on Instagram, she proclaimed: “It’s not hard for me you know, I don’t give a f**k what they say because if you know the truth, and if my family know the truth, and my friends know the truth, I don’t have to come out every single time.”
Adding a twist to the tale, Luisa also dropped hints suggesting Neil hasn’t quite got a handle on trusting women post his previous nuptial fallout with ex, Katya. Luisa claimed to the Sun: “He was messed up by what happened with Katya – and it affected our relationship so much I felt he could never trust me. I sensed he was constantly anxious I was seeing other men and women or I may cheat on him.
“If I went out in the evening, he would wait up all night and then quiz me on where I had been, like he was my dad. It made him impossible to be with.” Luisa expressed some understanding, saying: “I can understand it in some ways and you can’t blame him for still being bruised by Katya’s cheating but I couldn’t live with someone like that.”
Neil is now happily loved up with Love Island star Chyna, 25. The couple, who are engaged, share baby daughter Havana. She was born in October 2023. Neil and Chyna’s romance first began after the Strictly pro sent her an Instagram DM after she caught his eye during her appearance on Love Island in 2021. The pair then met at the Reality TV Awards in August 2022 and sparks flew between the pair at the after-party in Chelsea, London.
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