Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has responded after she was spotted giving her verdict on co-star Lawrence Robb's first performance. The dancer, now the show's longest-serving professional, was seen back in the ballroom on Saturday night (September 26) as the BBC One show went live to the nation for the first time as the 2026 run of the competition officially got underway.
Viral moment explained
The episode opened with a dazzling routine by the Strictly professionals to an orchestral version of Joy by Raye. Presenting trio Josh, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe joined the dance at the end of the routine before introducing the couples to the ballroom floor, before the latest batch of stars performed with their professional partners live for the first time.
Katya drew attention when the camera caught her commenting on Emmerdale star Lawrence's routine with professional dancer Jowita Przystal as she watched with her co-stars from the studio balcony. On Monday's (September 28) Good Morning Britain, her 2016 Strictly partner Ed Balls claimed he believed she branded the actor "fit". However, on Tuesday's (September 29) edition of the ITV news programme, Ed was asked to clear up the comments.
Ed Balls reveals Katya's message
He said: "I said yesterday, it's pretty clear she said he's fit, and actually, in my heart of heart, I still kind of think that. But she sent me a WhatsApp, 'I said fierce!'" He added: "Katya's always told me the unvarnished truth, so it must be true."
The competition got off to an impressive start, especially for social media star John Nellis, who topped the Strictly leaderboard on the first live show of the series, alongside Katya. The Northern Irish football content creator wowed the judges with a foxtrot to Alex Warren's Ordinary. The judging panel, made up of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, gave the couple 31 points out of a possible 40.
Judges' praise for John and Katya
Following John and Katya's routine, Anton Du Beke said the routine was "extraordinary" while Craig Revel Horwood said the dance was "classy, elegant and graceful". Motsi Mabuse said she felt a little emotional watching the performance and that it was "the best dance of the night". Shirley Ballas echoed those thoughts and praised John for being "elegant" and "sophisticated" in his routine.
