Jones reaps Strictly reward for silence over ‘snog-gate’
British dancer paired with bookies’ favourite Scott a year after wife Katya’s kiss with on-screen partner
STRICTLY Come Dancing threatened to become Strictly Come Snogging last year when Katya Jones was snapped in a romantic clinch with her dance partner Seann Walsh.
She later apologised for the incident, calling it a “one-off mistake”, but even as the ensuing scandal reached wildfire levels her pro-dancer husband and Strictly colleague Neil Jones maintained a dignified silence.
There are reasons to suspect he has been rewarded for his decorous behaviour as the launch episode of Strictly 2019 paired him with Alex Scott, the competition favourite.
The England footballer turned pundit is not only likeable and natural in front of the cameras. She’s also a heroic hoofer, as demonstrated by her Sports Relief Strictly Special win in 2018. “I’ve been in a tracksuit since the age of eight,” enthused Scott. “I’m ready for the glitter.”
With all Neil has been through – he and Katya recently announced their separation – his promotion from background hoofer to headline strutter is the perfect opportunity for him to dance away the heartache. He certainly appeared to appreciate the extra loud cheer he received during the professionals’ big introductory number, to the strains of Beyoncé’s Crazy In Love.
There was an equally raucous welcome for new judge Motsi Mabuse, in for the departed Darcey Bussell.
“You have to have fun. That’s the most important thing,” were her first words of advice. She then pitched in on a routine featuring pros and judges pirouetting inside huge multi-coloured boxes.
The fall-out from “snog-gate” will also cast a shadow over Katya as she teams up with Mike Bushell, BBC sports presenter and human anorak.
Last year, Katya took the “Strictly Curse” to places it had never gone before when her compromising photograph with Walsh went viral.
However, 53 year-old dad dancer candidate Bushell is more in the tradition of Ed Balls, who became an unlikely sensation dancing with Katya in 2016.
Bushell could be in line for a Gangham Style moment of his own. “I’m like a dog jumping up and down with the lead, I’m so excited,” he confessed.
The other big talking point going into the launch was the premature exit of Made in Chelsea star and digestive biscuits heir Jamie Laing due to a foot injury sustained filming the episode.
He was at least around long enough to see special guest Kylie Minogue open the series with a medley of her biggest and cheesiest hits.
“When I go out, I wanna go out dancing,” sang Kylie – slightly spooky as it seemed to foreshadow Laing’s accident during the group twirl to Lionel Richie’s Dancing on the Ceiling.
“As I kicked off, I felt a pop and a searing pain,” he said in a short interview tacked on at the end. “There’s definitely swelling. There’s definitely tissue damage. I’m going to be in a boot for eight weeks recovering.”
His replacement is Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, best known for playing Andy Sugden on the ITV soap between 1996 and 2016.
One of the most exciting pairings will surely be that of favourite Anton du Beke and Emma Barton, the former EastEnders actress. Because Anton is adored by viewers, Barton would have to slip and go crashing into the orchestra in order to be eliminated early.
“I’m over the moon,” she said. “My mum is going to be so happy.”
So will it be about the footwork rather than the tongue-tangling on Strictly 2019? All shall be revealed when the competition proper kicks off in a fortnight.
‘There’s definitely swelling. There’s definitely tissue damage. I’m going to be in a boot for eight weeks recovering’