Stirctly’s Neil Jones reacts to fresh blow as dancer once again snubbed of celebrity partner on BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing stalwart Neil Jones has responded in good humour to the news he has yet again been overlooked as a competitor on the show.
The professional dancer, 44, has starred on the BBC favourite for a decade after joining in 2016, however, he has only taken part in the show with a partner three times.
On Saturday, the launch of the 2026 series aired after a highly-anticipated wait. A major feature of the launch is fans finally get to see who will be dancing and who celebrities have been paired with.
It was revealed two nights ago that Mr Jones would once again only be participating in the show as a background dancer.
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Lauren Oakley and Neil Jones
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BBC
Despite some fans expressing disappointment that Mr Jones has yet again not been partnered with a famous face, the choreographer himself seems to have taken the news in his stride.
Taking to Instagram, the father-of-one shared a playful clip poking fun at himself.
The video sees him telling viewers he think he’ll get paired up if he successfully drops a pen into a bin, but appears shocked when someone catches it before it can land.
His caption was equally as graceful, with the dancer writing: “Pen in the cup 2.0.
“You know I love being part of @bbcstrictly and honestly after adding 2 Guinness world records last year to my 45 titles around the world, I feel like it would be greedy to win the glitterball as well so I wanted to give the others a chance.”
Despite his own calm acceptance of the news though, others responded to his post with a bit more frustration on his behalf.
“JUSTICE FOR NEIL!!” one fan wrote in the comment section.
Another asked: “Why do you never get a partner??”
Neil Jones is rarely given a partner on BBC Strictly
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PA“We need a government petition to give Neil a partner next year!” a third suggested.
“Ah Neil you are such a Strictly legend in your own right!! We all love you!!” someone else enthused.
Other celebrities associated with the show also supported him in the comments, with former JLS star and 2024 Strictly contestant JB Gill writing: “Legend you are.”
Comedian Tyler West, who competed alongside Dianne Buswell and has just been announced as host of this year’s spin-off show, left laughing emojis alongside his comment, which simply read: “The best.”
Saturday’s Strictly launch the new debut of the three new presenters, Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe
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BBCThe show, now in its 24th series, had drummed up a little more anticipation ahead of this year’s debut show, with Strictly undergoing a few major changes.
Major shake-ups have rocked the programme since last year’s series, with long-term presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Dally having both decided to step away after decades at the helm of the competition.
The BBC also brought in big changes to the professional dancers, with five popular choreographers removed from the show entirely.
Saturday’s inaugural episode of the year saw the trio of new presenters making their debuts.
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and existing dancer Johannes Radebe are now fronting the programme, and the move was met with a divided audience response.
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