Strictly Come Dancing professional star has announced she’s landed a huge new role away from the BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Katya Jones has announced a major step in her career as she secures a new role as a judge.
The well-loved dance professional took to social media to express her excitement, telling her followers that she’s simply ‘thrilled’ about her latest venture beyond the dance floor.
After recently being confirmed as part of the 2025 lineup for the popular BBC One contest, which is set to begin in the coming autumn, speculation has been rife on whether she might be developing an appetite for judging.
Flaunting a glamorous photo on Instagram, gold trophy in hand and dressed in a stunning pink maxi gown, Katya posted: “I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be joining ‘Dancing with the Stars Belgium’ as a judge! @vtm.be. It’s time to bring my passion and knowledge to the panel and celebrate the art of dance that unites us all, celebrates diversity and brings people together. Teach me some Flemish words that I can use on the show?”
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Her fellow Strictly stars didn’t miss a beat in rallying around to congratulate her. Gorka Marquez was among the first, dropping an “Amazing” comment, while Dianne Buswell echoed the sentiment saying, “Amazing congratulations my love.”
Amy Dowden also showered her with support, replying to Katya’s announcement with: “Go on queen! You DESERVE THIS”, reports the Mirror.
However fans immediately shared their concerns she might quit. A fan said: “You will be brilliant, but I hope you don’t leave us and that one day you will be a judge here in the UK too.”
Another wrote: “Well done. Enjoy, but you are not allowed to leave Strictly.” A third commented: “Congratulations! Hope it means we don’t lose you on Strictly!”
One fan asked: “I hope this doesn’t mean you’re leaving Strictly in the UK?” A worried fan insisted: “Congratulations. This is amazing news. But so pleased you are also staying at our Strictly Come Dancing.” Meanwhile another fan added: “I hope you are NOT leaving strictly please.”
It comes following whispers of discontent following the previous series. According to The Sun, Katya may have felt disappointed by how the BBC treated opera singer Wynne Evans, aged 53.
An insider informed the outlet: “Katya is really upset about what has happened and feel like it’s all been blown out of proportion. She was shocked that bosses hauled Wynne in and feels like they have been thrown under the bus. There is only so much drama she can take.”
Set to make a comeback later in the year, Katya will be celebrating a decade on Strictly Come Dancing. She took to Instagram recently to share a series of snaps from her time on the show, hinting at a “Strictly Confession” and revealing the “quiet promises” she made to herself to “to stay grounded”.
Katya isn’t the only pro dancer making a comeback in the next series of Strictly. Fans can look forward to seeing Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Kai Widdrington, Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu, and Nikita Kuzmin grace the dance floor once more.
The already impressive line-up continues with the return of Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Carlos Gu, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola adding to the excitement. Plus, viewers should stay tuned for the reveal of two new pros joining the stellar cast of dancers.
You can catch up on Strictly Come Dancing on BBC iPlayer