Neil And Katya Jones

STRICTLY IN STEP AS THEY SHARE THEIR LOVE STORY NEIL AND KATYA JONES ON THEIR SHARED PASSION, A LONG-HELD DREAM AND LEARNING FROM THE PAST

- Jane Dowdeswell

Married Strictly Come Dancing pro dancers Neil and Katya Jones are telling us how they are about to walk down the aisle again. Only this time everyone is invited as the big day is one of the scenes in a hotly anticipated stage show based on their lives.

“I even get to wear the same dress again, the one I wore on the evening of our wedding. And guess what we had for our first dance?” teases Katya of their 2013 nuptials. “Me and Mrs Jones.”

Audiences at Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream at London’s Sadler’s Wells will also be treated to the couple’s first encounter, his romantic proposal and the highs and lows of their extraordinary journey to become World Latin Showdance Champions.

“I had always wanted to create my own show,” says Neil, 36, who directs and choreographs, with Katya overseeing costumes and music.

“Now, finally to see our dreams on stage come true is exciting.”

Katya, 29, enthuses: “When you dance you are always telling a story, playing a character, but for this, it is all that and more as I know exactly how I was feeling at those very moments.”

BACK ON BOARD

As they join us for this exclusive photo shoot and interview together, the pair are buzzing – not just with the plans for their show but also the recent news that they have both been confirmed for the next series of Strictly this autumn.

“I didn’t think I would love being on Strictly so much. I didn’t think that world would be for me, but it is everything that I love. I love teaching, that is my favourite part of the journey,” says Katya, who won the 2017 series with ex-Holby City actor Joe McFadden. She hopes Neil will get his first celebrity partner this year: “I think he would love it. I feel Neil could partner any character, any age, any ability, he would come up with something so creative.”