Katya Jones has revealed what she actually said about Lawrence Robb in that viral Strictly Come Dancing moment. On Saturday night, the Emmerdale actor, 34, took to the dance floor for the first time and scored a respectable 20 points for his paso doble with Jowita Przystał, 32. But it was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment just after their performance that became one of the most talked-about parts of the show.
As the camera panned to the other professionals and celebrities watching and applauding upstairs, Katya, 37, turned to newbie pro Aleksandra Isaeva and mouthed what many believed was 'fit'. And yesterday, her 2016 Strictly partner Ed Balls told Good Morning Britain viewers that he, too, believed she called Lawrence 'fit', telling co-host Susanna Reid: 'Knowing Katya, I think she probably said fit.'
Katya's WhatsApp clarification
But now, the broadcaster, 59, has revealed the truth after the Russian pro sent him a text message to clarify what she really said. GMB entertainment reporter Richard Arnold asked: 'Did she say "fit?" What do we think?' Analysing the short clip again, Susanna chimed in, suggesting she could lip-read 'he's fit' from the dance champ.
'Well, I said yesterday it was pretty clear she said "he's fit",' Ed began. 'And actually, in my heart of hearts, I still kinda think that! 'But she sent me a WhatsApp: "I said fierce!"' A screenshot of Katya's message was then shown on-screen, with a crying-laughing emoji added, suggesting she's taken the saga in jest.
And we're sure nothing is dampening her spirits after last weekend's success, as she and YouTuber John Nellis topped the leaderboard. Their elegant foxtrot to Ordinary by Alex Warren scored a mighty 31 points out of 40, with Katya commenting on John's Insta post afterwards: 'So proud of you partner 🙌'
Lawrence's girlfriend weighs in
Her clarification comes after Lawrence's own girlfriend weighed in on the matter. Seemingly hinting at the truth in hindsight, Pamela Blair took to Instagram on Sunday with a picture from Lawrence and Jowita's routine. 'So fierce,' she captioned it, adding a flame emoji, clearly of the same opinion as Katya.
Lawrence, who has played Mackenzie Boyd in the ITV soap since 2020, received a mixed bag of comments from the judges on Saturday, but there was one element of his performance in particular that they loved. Shirley Ballas couldn't compliment his 'opening line' enough, calling it 'sensational' and 'like something I'd see in a major competition'. Anton Du Beke added that it was a 'modern interpretation of a very strong dance', calling Lawrence's arm movements 'marvellous', but advising him to work on 'shaping'.
Motsi Mabuse said she 'loved the intensity and passion' of the dance, asking for more 'control' in the future. 'But you are bringing a whole lot of potential,' she declared. 'I cannot wait to see this journey.' As for Craig Revel Horwood, he admitted it was 'all very square' and compared it to 'dancing by numbers', leading to the finished product being 'lumpy' and 'stompy'. The show's resident Mr Nasty did throw a compliment in there, though, praising Lawrence's storytelling. Craig ultimately scored the dance a four, while Motsi and Shirley gave fives, and Anton awarded a six.
Reaction and next steps
Taking to social media after the first live show, Lawrence wrote: 'What a rush!! I had the time of my life last night and thank you for all the support. I'm excited to keep working hard.' Pro partner Jowita, who won the show with Hamza Yassin in 2022, wrote in her own caption: 'I'm so sooooo proud of you partner @lawrencejarobb ! To me you were perfect 🫶🏼🥹'
Next up is Movie Week, which typically takes place in the third live show but has been brought forward this series to the second. It marks yet another format change from the BBC as the dance competition enters a new era with fresh hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, plus new It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor.
Along with five new professionals replacing the axed stars, we've also had new opening titles, a slightly different theme tune, and a new way of announcing the routines online, all of which continue to divide viewers. There was no public vote or elimination last weekend, with the scores carried over. But on Sunday night, the results show will send one couple home – and no one wants to be the first out.
