KATYA JONES
STRICTLY COME DANCING’S KATYA JONES OPENS UP ABOUT SINGLE LIFE AFTER HER MARITAL SPLIT AND COMING OUT OF LOCKDOWN STRONGER
Lockdown has proved to be a challenging time for many of us, but Strictly star Katya Jones insists the experience has been invaluable for proving she is truly content on her own. “I am my own soulmate,” the 31-year-old tells OK!. Last August, the star split from her husband Neil Jones ten months after she was pictured kissing her then Strictly dance partner Seann Walsh.
But the pair have yet to finalise their divorce and have remained close friends as they coparent their beloved dog Crumble. “We were always best friends and always will be best friends,” she says.
It’s no surprise that Katya has used her positivity for good, teaming up with best friends Joanne Clifton and Sasha Latoya to launch Beyond Lockdown Empire, a self-help course that has since been turned into a book.
Here, the star talks about finding happiness on her own and why her thirties are her best decade yet...
How has lockdown been for you?
It’s actually been such a good time for me. I really like my own company and I’ve enjoyed this time. I’ve obviously missed being around people but it’s been a really big learning experience on my own.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt about yourself?
I’ve realised I’m my own best friend and my own soulmate. I realise how much I value myself as a person now and I always say never stop investing in yourself. I definitely felt that when I turned 31 in May, I was so proud of the person I’d become. Lockdown just crystalised it all for me.
You said turning 30 last year was challenging for you. Why was that?
I think there are so many preconceptions of turning 30. You have to be at a certain stage, people are constantly asking you about children and when you’re going to have them. There’s this real feeling you’re meant to have achieved something. So going into that new decade was a fear about not fulfilling people’s expectations. So turning 31 was big for me because I realised my life is my own journey. I take my own time with the things I need. I put time and effort into the things I love. Rather than trying to please people, I now realise you can’t please everyone!
How are you enjoying single life? Lockdown might have made dating harder for some people but you can still communicate and maybe that’s nicer because you get to know the person better. I know friends have been chatting through lockdown to people, but I’m the type of person who just wants to keep growing and I’m sure the right person will come into my life when it’s meant to be. You never know what you’re going to get in life.
You’ve stayed such good friends with your ex-husband Neil. Does that mean a lot to you?
It means so much for both of us. We’ve known each other for 12 years – we’ve achieved so much together and gone through so much, too. No one knows us like we know each other and that’s a real mark of friendship, isn’t it? He’s my best friend and he’s always going to be my best friend. All the years we had together were not just for nothing.
Tell us about Beyond Lockdown Empire…
So myself, Joanne Clifton and Sasha Latoya are best friends and in June we were all halfway through the lockdown and came up with the idea of this seven-day course on self development. It went down so well and had so many amazing success stories, we decided to write a book! It’s so lovely to see people develop and for their dreams come true. It feels lovely to help people and discuss the things that I’ve been through.
Are you excited for Strictly to return?
Yes, it was a lovely feeling for us to get the green light for the show to go ahead after a bit of uncertainty with lockdown. I can’t wait to get started and dance! I think after everything we’ve all been through, Strictly is just the show to lift everyone’s spirits. We need to smile and have a bit of fun! ok!
BEYOND LOCKDOWN EMPIRE: THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR £13.99 AT THELITTLEBOOKSHELF.CO.UK.