Katya Jones
Give it up for queen of dance Katya!
| Fact title | Fact data |
|---|---|
| Age |
37
|
| Partner |
John Nellis
|
Katya Jones has been wowing Strictly audiences with her creative choreography and unforgettable routines since joining the show in 2016!
She made an immediate impression during her first series alongside former politician Ed Balls, with the pair dancing their way to sixth place. Just one year later, Katya went all the way, lifting the Glitterball Trophy with actor Joe McFadden in 2017!
Born Ekaterina Sokolova in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Katya began dancing at just six years old. She trained in Ballroom and Latin as well as gymnastics, before going on to compete at the highest level.
In 2008, Katya began dancing with fellow Strictly Pro Neil Jones after the partnership was recommended by their coaches, including former Strictly professional Karen Hardy. The pair made their first major final together less than a year later and went on to enjoy huge competitive success, including a win at the WDC World Championships and three World Amateur Latin Championship titles, before turning professional in 2013.
Back in the Strictly Ballroom, Katya partnered comedian Seann Walsh in 2018 and BBC presenter Mike Bushell in 2019, before making Strictly history in 2020 as part of the show’s first same-sex celebrity partnership with Olympic boxer Nicola Adams.
Another Olympic champion followed in 2021, when Katya teamed up with swimmer Adam Peaty. In 2022, she partnered former Arsenal and England footballer Tony Adams, before joining actor Nigel Harman in 2023, with both partnerships unfortunately coming to an end following injuries.
In 2024, Katya took to the dancefloor with opera singer and broadcaster Wynne Evans, with the pair making it all the way to Blackpool.
Katya returned in 2025 alongside actor Lewis Cope, and what a series they had! The pair wowed the Judges and audiences with their performances and danced all the way to the Grand Final.
With a Glitterball Trophy, history-making partnerships and some seriously creative choreography under her belt, Katya is back and ready to work her magic on the Strictly dancefloor once again!
