Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Strictly's Katya Jones admits she's 'constantly husband hunting' as ex Neil gets engaged

Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones says she's "constantly husband hunting", amid the news her ex Neil is engaged and expecting a baby with Love Island's Chyna Mills.

Dancing pros 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.

Katya was among the first to congratulate Neil and Chyna earlier this month, sharing Neil's post on her Instagram story, and writing: "So happy for these two!

"@mr_njonesoffiicial You deserve all the happiness".

Katya, who has been on Strictly since 2016, has now opened up on her own relationship status, explaining she's always on the lookout for Mr Right.

Katya and Neil were married for five years before splitting in 2019 (PA)
Neil is expecting a baby with Love Island star and fiancé Chyna Mills (Instagram)

The dancer told Closer : "I'm not dating anyone right now' - but I'm constantly husband hunting!"

Thinking about the ideal attributes in a partner, the TV star said: "I'd like someone who can add value to my life and handle a self-sufficient woman."

The dancer says dating apps have been "rubbish" for her, adding modern dating is "very complicated" and for now she's "enjoying the moment."

Despite parting ways, Neil and Katya have continued to work together on Strictly and are clearly amicable.

On April 2, Neil and Chyna announced their happy news, after Neil popped the question while on holiday.

Neil and Katya have remained amicable after their split (PA)

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."

After the announcement, the couple were flooded with messages of congratulations from celebrity pals, including Love Island's Luca Bish and Strictly stars Gorka Marquez and Oti Mabuse.

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

Katya says dating apps have been "rubbish" for her (PA)
The star says she's "enjoying the moment" currently (Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im)

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."

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."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.