Best foot forward
Katya Jones and husband Neil put on a united front as Strictly axe falls after snog scandal
KATYA Jones and her husband Neil put on a united front after Strictly Come Dancing has once again come between the pair.
The Sun reported last night that Katya has been axed from the main line-up while Neil is now being lined up to get his first chance at a star pairing.
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The Strictly axe has fallen after shamed Katya's snog scandal with her dance partner Seann Walsh cast a shadow over last year's show.
But despite the drama in the married couple's work life, they showed no sign of it affecting their home life today.
They attended a charity netball match together where Neil cheered his wife on from the sidelines.
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Leaving the star-studded event, the pair held hands and smiled warmly at waiting cameras.
BBC bosses are keen to save Strictly's family image have decided the Russian, 29, should not be paired with a celeb.
Before she was spotted having fun at the charity netball match, Katya was pictured looking glum out and about in London.
A source told The Sun: “Katya’s gutted.
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"She knows she’s being punished.”
Katya picked a T-shirt with the word 'Happy' across the chest but she certainly didn't look it.
She has told pals she is being punished for her hook-up with Seann Walsh, who she was caught snogging in the last series.
Bosses, desperate to clean up the show’s image, have issued the ultimatum: “Accept a reduced role as a back-up or walk away.”
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A source said: “Katya knows she is being punished for her actions and the scandal she caused.
“She feels BBC bosses are saying she can’t be trusted to act professionally with a celebrity.
“It is frustrating as she has put so much time and effort into the new series.
“But producers were adamant. While they let her stay in the cast they can’t condone her behaviour or all the drama she caused. No one is bigger than the show.”
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The source added: “The decision is bittersweet as Neil has been given the nod.
“Katya can’t leave as Strictly is still a huge gig, and she has to support Neil like he has done for her so many years.”
Katya and dance partner Seann, 33, threw the show into crisis last October when they were snapped snogging in a London street after a late-night drinking session.
Sean’s girlfriend, actress Rebecca Humphries, 31, was left devastated and threw out the comedian.
Katya Jones and husband Neil dance together in Strictly performance
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This month the show’s reputation took another hit when it emerged last year’s winner Stacey Dooley, 32, is dating her dance partner Kevin Clifton, 36.
Stacey’s ex Sam Tucknott, 30, lashed out at Strictly’s “sleaziness” and branded Kevin a “rat”.
Many other celebrities and pro dancers have seen relationships crumbled since the show started in 2004 — unable to resist the chemistry forged backstage.
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Katya and Neil wed in 2013 after a long romance.
She has been on Strictly for four years and shot to fame over her hilarious routines with bumbling ex-Labour minister Ed Balls.
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In 2017 she won the Glitterball trophy with ex-Holby City actor Joe McFadden.
Katya is currently rehearsing with colleagues for the UK tour. Earlier this week she insisted Strictly was still a family show.
Speaking at a fake tan launch in London she said: “Do families and grandmas still watch it? Yes. So there you go.”
Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh is caught snogging married dance pro Katya Jones in the street
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