Strictly sorry: pair apologise for public kiss
Seann Walsh, the comedian, and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones have apologised for a ‘drunken mistake’ after they were photographed kissing in public. Walsh is in a long-term relationship, and Jones is married to a choreographer on the show
TWO stars of Strictly Come Dancing have apologised for a “one-off drunken mistake” after they were photographed kissing in public, as the so-called “curse of Strictly” appeared to strike again.
Seann Walsh, the celebrity contestant who is in a long-term relationship, and Katya Jones, who is married to another of dancers on the show, were filmed in a romantic clinch outside a London pub last week.
The pair last night issued an apology for their behaviour, amid fears the BBC’S family show was once again embroiled in personal scandals.
Walsh, 32, and Jones, 29, who are only in their third week of live shows, were caught “snogging like a pair of teenagers” outside a Marylebone pub on Wednesday.
Walsh, who has been supported by his girlfriend, actress Rebecca Humphries, in the Strictly studios, said: “I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.”
Jones, who is married to Neil Jones, a Strictly choreographer and dancer, said: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.” Walsh and Jones are due to resume training for the rest of the series of Strictly immediately.
A source insisted they would not be given the option of changing partners, leaving them a choice between continuing training and intimate dances together, or quitting. Last night’s results show was recorded after the live programme on Saturday, before news of the kiss broke.
A BBC source said Walsh and Jones would continue dancing together, with all those involved taking the approach of “very much business as usual”.
The couple were put through to the next round of the show last night, with Lee Ryan being ejected by judges after a dance-off with actor Charles Venn.
Their Matrix-themed paso doble was awarded 30 points on Saturday night, and called “hot” by judges.
Walsh’s girlfriend Ms Humphries has been by his side throughout the series so far, and appeared so thrilled by his performance this weekend that she was moved to tears. She has actively championed his dance partner on social media, previously calling Jones a “fierce kick-ass queen”.
The Sun on Sunday reported a witness outside the Duke of York pub saying: “They’re stars on the biggest show on TV but they were standing in the street and snogging like teenagers. They didn’t seem to care who was walking past.”
The photographs and video are likely to cause consternation at the BBC, which relies on Strictly Come Dancing as its Saturday night flagship entertainment show aimed at families.
The “curse of Strictly” has been cited in nearly every year of the show this decade, with Louise Redknapp separating from husband Jamie in 2016, Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole splitting with their partners to get together in 2009, and Rachel Riley divorcing her husband in 2014 only to strike up a romance with Pasha Kovalev.
In 2009, Joe Calzaghe ended a relationship before being romantically linked with dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. In 2013, Rihanoff moved on to her new dance partner Ben Cohen, who divorced his wife of 12 years. The couple went on to have a baby together.