Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has revealed she would quit her role as a dancer to become a judge on the BBC show. The 37-year-old, who has been a professional on the programme since 2016, admitted she is eyeing up a seat on the judging panel.
Katya's Judging Ambitions
Speaking at the TRIC Awards, Katya said: "Why not? Of course I would! I've done judging in other countries and it felt very natural for me to do that. I would definitely be eyeing up that seat, whichever one it is!" She gained judging experience on Dancing with the Stars Belgium in 2025.
If appointed, Katya would follow Anton Du Beke, who became an official judge in 2021 after 18 years as a professional dancer on the show.
Presenter Shake-Up
While the judging panel remains unchanged for the upcoming series, the show has undergone a major presenter shake-up following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and former professional Johannes Radebe have been brought in as new hosts.
Katya described Tess and Claudia's dynamic as "unmatchable" but praised the BBC's decision. "You can't replace someone, you have to bring someone with their own flavour and that's what they've done," she said. Reflecting on Claudia's banter in the Clauditorium, she added: "You never knew what was going to come out of Claudia's mouth. That was fun! But I think these three will bring something new."
New Opportunities for Dancers
Katya called the new presenter lineup "fab" and highlighted that Johannes's appointment shows dancers can branch out. "Emma is top of her game. I heard that their chemistry together is really good. It's so nice to see somebody from our side, as a professional dancer, grow into another role. It gives us hope and doesn't pigeon hole us as just being professional dancers."
Katya's Strictly Journey
Katya won the glitterball trophy with Joe McFadden in 2017. In the most recent series, she was partnered with Lewis Cope and was considered a favourite, but the pair were eliminated during the quarter-finals after landing in the dance-off with Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.
