DANCING QUEEN - I'd like to find The One'

Strictly star Katya Jones talks about finding the dating scene 'difficult', wanting to travel the world and why she's not scared of the judges

- SHELLEY SPADONI

Professional dancer Katya Jones burst onto our screens on Strictly Come Dancing eight years ago - now, it's hard to imagine it without her and her dazzling choreography.

Russian-born Katya, 35, tells OK! (after apologising for being full of cold) about whether there is a special someone on the scene these days following her 2019 split from ex-husband Neil Jones. Her fellow pro Neil has since moved on with Love Island star Chyna Mills, and they're now parents to baby daughter Havana.

She also opens up about what it's like to be at the heart of one of the biggest shows on TV and, somewhat surprisingly for anyone who's seen her bubbly on-screen persona, declares that she's a total introvert at heart...

Katya, we love you on Strictly. Will you be back in September?

I don't know yet, but hopefully we'll find out very soon. Fingers crossed! Can you believe that the upcoming series would be my ninth? That means I'm coming up to a decade on Strictly. I still think of myself as a 'newbie'!

What have been your favourite routines over the years?

Oh, I can't choose! I love doing it and there have been so many brilliant routines over the years. I'm in touch with all my old dance partners this show gives you these beautiful friendships. I met [sports presenter] Mike Bushell for breakfast the other day and I saw [actor] Nigel Harman recently. I spent the weekend in the Cotswolds with [former footballer] Tony Adams' family and I even went to see [swimmer] Adam Peaty qualify for the Olympics.

What are co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman really like to work with?

Literally just how you would imagine. What you see is what you get. Clauds is just hilarious, supportive, really warm; Tess is always checking in on us and making sure we're comfortable. They're lovely and a great team.