Professional dancer Katya Jones has revealed the “simple truth” of Strictly Come Dancing following a briefing with the BBC over the show. It comes after the line-up of returning pros for the next series was confirmed earlier this week.
It was announced yesterday that Katya, 35, will be among those returning to the dancefloor for this year’s series of Strictly, which is set to launch in the autumn. It marks her tenth series on the show after making her debut in 2016.
Katya posted about her return in a post on Instagram this morning. It included a compilation video featuring photos of her from each year that she’s been on it, including one of her and actor Joe McFadden holding the Glitterball trophy.
In the caption of the post, she recalled learning that Strictly is an “entertainment show with dance at its heart” in her first briefing with the BBC. It isn’t the first time that Katya has described the show in that way and she once similarly suggested that it is “not really a dance competition”.
Strictly’s faced criticism in the past over some contestants, who fans considered better dancers than some of their rivals, being voted out. The judges’ decisions have attracted controversy, like last year when the decision to save one couple was attributed to them having had a “more powerful and joyous” routine than their rivals in the bottom two.
Katya wrote in her post: “My Strictly Confession. Back for my 10th year on Strictly Come Dancing. When I first stepped into the world of television, I had no idea what to expect. So I made myself a few quiet promises to stay grounded.”
She added: “The first came from my very first BBC briefing, where I learned something that’s stayed with me ever since: Strictly is an entertainment show with dance at its heart. I made it my mission never to lose sight of that simple truth.”
The dancer continued by writing: “Second, I vowed to always show up as my true, authentic self. No masks, no pretending. Because performing is one thing, but pretending to be someone you’re not is exhausting, and it doesn’t last.
“And third – perhaps most importantly – I told myself that the moment I stopped loving this job, would be the moment I walk away. This role demands passion, energy, and an all-in commitment. You simply can’t do it half-heartedly.”
Katya told fans: “Each year when the producers ask if I’d like to return, I pause and ask myself: Are you still in love with it? And every single time, the answer has been a firm YES. This year was no different. Nothing fulfils me quite like this ‘job’. “It is a true privilege to be part of something that brings joy to so many. To help light up Saturday nights, to be part of a show that’s become such a cherished part of the nation’s heart – it means the world. Happy 10th anniversary, Strictly. I can confess – I am still totally head over heels for you.”
Katya isn’t the only pro returning for the next series of Strictly. The line-up will also include Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Kai Widdrington, Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu and Nikita Kuzmin.
Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Carlos Gu, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will also return. And there will be two new pros, who are yet to be announced, in the line-up.
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