I've known Neil since 18, it was us against the world... you can't throw that away

STRICTLY STAR KATYA STILL MATES WITH HER EX

- TOM BRYANT

FOR most people, going to work every day with your ex would be considered a fate worse than death. But thankfully for Katya Jones and Strictly Come Dancing bosses she isn't most people.

Her and fellow dancer Neil, 42, may have broken up in 2018 but the pair spend almost half the year together – first on the hit show and then the tour.

“It’s sad that this seems to be unusual [being friends with your ex-husband],” she said. “It doesn’t have to be that way does it? Gosh, we knew each other since we were 18 and started dancing.

“We lived a life together, it was me and him against the world, chasing our dreams.

“We were the only people there for each other so of course there is a much more profound connection there so you can’t just throw that away.”

Their split came just 10 months after Katya, 35, was pictured kissing comic Seann Walsh.

Neil has previously said the fall-out had nothing to do with their decision to part ways.

And since then, Neil has got engaged to Chyna Mills, 25, and had a baby, Havana, who is now seven months old.

“It’s incredible, they are all doing so well, and I love his little girl,” she said. “I met her when she came on tour. She is beautiful and he is a really good dad.”

Neil met Russian Katya in 2008 when he was dancing in Blackpool and in need of a professional partner.

They took the ballroom world by storm and fans were entranced when they signed up for Strictly in 2016