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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Katya Jones responds as ex Neil Jones announces he's engaged to pregnant Chyna Mills

Katya Jones has responded after Neil Jones and Chyna Mills announced they were engaged and expecting a baby together.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Katya, 33, and Neil, 40, were married in August 2013 after dating for five years. But, the pair called time on their marriage in August 2019 and announced they had separated after a total 11 years together.

Despite parting ways, the exes have continued to work together on Strictly Come Dancing and are clearly amicable.

Earlier today, Neil announced he was expecting a baby with Love Island star Chyna Mills.

The pair are also engaged after Neil popped the question while on holiday.

Chyna told Hello! magazine: "After the baby news, we were on cloud nine – and now this. It still doesn't feel real."

Neil later added: "I'd already planned to ask Chyna to marry me before we knew she was pregnant. Then we found out and I was like: 'Oh, this is brilliant, everything is coming together."

Katya's ex Neil Jones is expecting a baby with his Love Island fiancé Chyna Mills (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Katya and Neil have remained amicable, despite their split (Getty Images)

Neil and Chyna also shared posts on their Instagram pages to share the happy news.

As he posted a photo of himself and Chyna embracing while sharing a loving look on his Instagram, Neil gushed: "Excitement is an understatement," followed by a smiling face emoji.

The couple were soon flooded with messages of congratulations from celebrity pals.

Love Island's Luca Bish wrote: "Congratulations guys".

Gorka Marquez added: "Congratulations guys!!"

And Oti Mabuse penned: "Best news!!!! Congratulations".

Katya was also amongst those who congratulated the happy couple as she reposted Neil's share on her Instagram story to show her support.

The dancer then wrote on top: "So happy for these two!

"@mr_njonesoffiicial You deserve all the happiness".

Katya and Neil split in 2019 (PA)
Their split was after Katya kissed her dance partner Seann Walsh – but a representative insisted the break up wasn't linked to the kiss (BBC)

Katya and Neil announced their split in a joint statement on their social media pages in August 2019.

Their split came after Katya was photographed kissing Seann Walsh, who was also in a relationship at the time.

However, Katya and Neil insisted their break up wasn't linked to Katya's kiss.

The statement, posted on both their social media pages, read: "Hi everyone, as our fans and loyal supporters you are really important to us and so we wanted to let you know some news.

"After 11 years, we have made the mutual decision to separate."

Neil slid into Chyna's DMs after seeing her on Love Island (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A spokesperson for Katya and Neil denied the kiss was linked to the couple's split and said: "It would be incorrect and unfair to attribute their separation to one isolated incident.

"Many people make such a decision to separate when they realise that their relationship has become more of a friendship. They remain the very best of friends and will continue to dance together."

Chyna Mills entered the Love Island villa last year and sparked a romance with Jay Younger, but things didn't work out.

Neil then messaged Chyna on Instagram after she left the villa. The pair then met in person when they attended the same event together.

Professional dancer Neil and Love Island beauty Chyna, who was a youth support worker before her stint on the reality dating show, sparked romance rumours before confirming they were an item during a romantic trip to Paris.

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