Neil Jones has taken a swipe at his Strictly co-stars by claiming he and snubbed Nadiya Bychkova don’t need celebrity partners because they are world champions – unlike most professional dancers.
Despite appearing on the BBC One show for the past six years, Neil, 41, has only had two celebrity partners, sports pundit Alex Scott, 38, and 2019 and 2021 contestant actress Nina Wadia, 54.
This year isn’t the first time his co-star Nadiya has been paired with a celebrity, raising questions about the process that goes into matching contestants with their professional partners.
But Neil claims that he and Nadiya, 34, in particular, don’t “need” a celebrity partner because they are both world champions, and apart from his ex-wife Katya Jones, 34, they are the only Strictly professionals to hold that title within the entire cast.
He told Web: “If anyone makes a joke and we joke together a lot, it’s still the case that I’ve won 45 titles… four times world champion… 15 times British… I’ve done it all, I don’t need it.
Neil Jones has taken a swipe at his Strictly co-stars by claiming he and snubbed Nadiya Bychkova don’t need celebrity partners because they are world champions – unlike most professional dancers (pictured 2020).
This year isn’t the first time his co-star Nadiya has been paired with a celebrity, raising questions about the process that goes into matching contestants with their professional partners
Despite appearing on the BBC One show for the past six years, Neil, 41, has only had two celebrity partners: sports pundit Alex Scott in 2019 and 2021 contestant actress Nina Wadia
“The boys know it too and they really respect me and they even make the joke when something happens: ‘But Neil is a four-time world champion’ and they’ve never won any of these events.
“On the show there are only three of us who are world champions, me, Katya and Nadiya… me and Katya are the only professionals who have won Blackpool… those are those things, that’s what we did, Strictly is a different thing.
“Our roles are not about ourselves. I understand in the show that the professional dancers have become very popular, but we are there for the celebrities and let them shine.”
Neil, whose accolades include winning the British National Dance Championships eight times and winning the World Latin Dance Championship four times, says Strictly partnerships are based on height and whether the couple looks good together and that he is ready To compete with a celebrity again should the opportunity arise.
He said: “I tell production every year, ‘I love being part of this show, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter.’
“If a prominent partner is there for me… and you can see that now, then everyone is a good fit… if you look at all the partnerships.
“It depends on your height, it depends on your personality.” Alex was the right partner for me. Nina was the right partner for me…
“In those moments they find the right partner for me, I’m ready and they know I can do the job, and other moments I’m so happy to be there for them and support everyone and the show.”
Neil says Strictly pairings are based on height and whether the couple looks good together and he would be open to competing with a celebrity again should the opportunity arise
The dancer was married to fellow professional Katya Jones for six years before they split in 2019. They were hit by the Strictly curse when Katya kissed her celebrity partner Seann Walsh
Neil has defended head judge Shirley Ballas after she faced backlash for downgrading female contestants on the show following its broadcast on Saturday night
This week, head judge Shirley Ballas was criticized for a year in a row after claiming she belittled the female celebrity contestants on the show while giving higher scores to the men.
In the live broadcast on Saturday evening, Shirley gave Zara McDermott, Ellie Leach and Angela Rippon the fewest points out of all four judges, including Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
But Neil has defended Shirley’s findings, insisting her critic had “nothing to do with gender” and she was just a strict disciplinarian.
He said: “Shirley has loads of knowledge and when she watches someone dance we can be emotional, as we all are, but she is a technician. So if she loves it, she said on Saturday, even with Nigel, “absolutely brilliant, but wrong footwork”. was hard on him, it’s not just about women.
“It has nothing to do with gender, I feel like it’s something that the audience notices more than what’s actually happening.” Shirley is there as a judge and sometimes you’ll like what she says, but sometimes not, she says exactly what you all will see.
“She is so professional. We always call Shirley the most professional and professional. As a dancer you always want to dance with someone like Shirley because she is on her feet and knows exactly how to do every move. She knows the book inside and out.’
Neil is the new celebrity ambassador for skincare brand Shakeup Cosmetics, which sells products designed to help men improve the appearance of their skin.
And Neil admits he will need help with his eye bags after becoming a father for the first time this week with girlfriend and former Love Island contestant Chyna Mills.
Neil became a father for the first time this week after giving birth to his baby daughter with former Love Island contestant Chyna Mills
The couple announced on Wednesday that their daughter had been born together with a sweet picture of their feet, captioning the Instagram post, “Our hearts are so full.”
The couple announced on Wednesday that their daughter had been born together with a sweet picture of their feet, captioning the Instagram post, “Our hearts are so full.”
Not working on Strictly with a celebrity partner this year means Neil will be able to spend more time at home with his baby, as the new dad explained he only has to be in the studio on a Saturday night.
He said: “It’s brilliant… it feels great.” This is my first child.
“Luckily it’s easier for me this year because I don’t have a partner and when you don’t have a partner you have more time.”
“Currently we have filmed so many of the group numbers that are already recorded. Before the show has even started we are already seven weeks along and during the live shows I go on a Saturday.
Neil started using Shakeup Cosmetics, created by twin brothers Shane and Jake Arbeiter, over a year ago.
He’s an advocate of Age Def-eye Instant Lifting Eye Cream, formulated with a blend of caffeine and iPeptide to combat dark circles and wrinkles, especially now that he has to endure sleepless nights.