Professional dancer Katya Jones has revealed she considered quitting Strictly Come Dancing because she was so “heartbroken” by her elimination last year.
Jones and her actor dance partner Lewis Cope, who were favourites to win the 2025 series, were dropped from the BBC competition in the quarter-finals in a shocking upset.
Doubts about returning
Jones admitted she “wasn’t sure if she could face” any further disappointment when asked to return for the new series - which is hosted by new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
“Every year, I do question myself, like really think, ‘Are you ready for this really intense, really all-consuming thing again and again and again and again?’” she told MailOnline.
“Every time I ask myself, and if the answer is still yes, I’ll be here doing it. And I must say, last year I was very heartbroken. So there was a lot of doubt, like, ‘Can I face it again?’”
High expectations
Jones added: “I guess our expectation was so high and not even from us, externally, you kind of see yourself getting all the way there. And then to have had it cut short was a little bit tough.”
Jones is currently partnered with YouTube star John Nellis in the 2026 series. The pair topped the leaderboard in the first week and he is among the favourites to win the show.
Among their current success, she said that the moment she “doesn’t love Strictly” she will “walk away”.
