Neil Jones is back on Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer, but he reportedly won’t have a celebrity partner.
Instead, the 41-year-old will seemingly be focused on other aspects of the show that don’t involve partaking in the main competition on Saturday night.
This is something that Neil is used to as he has been a part of the series for eight years, and during that time he has only had two partners – Alex Scott, and Nina Wadia. While some people may assume that Neil feels left out, he revealed that he feels the exact opposite.
‘I would honestly say to you, I love when I have a partner, and I love when I don’t have a partner,’ he explained.
Whilst speaking to Radio Times, he also gave a bigger insight into what he gets up to when he’s not partnered up with a celebrity.
‘When you don’t have a partner, a lot of people think you just sit at home. But you really don’t,’ he explained.
‘On Strictly, they make sure you’ve got plenty to do. We’re doing group numbers and music acts, we help out other pros.’
Neil – who was previously married to fellow Strictly pro Katya Jones – is also very busy in his personal life as he’s set to become a dad later this year. He is expecting a baby girl with Love Island’s Chyna Mills, 24, with her arrival right around the corner.
A plan has actually been put in place in case Chyna goes into labour while Strictly is on air.
Neil told OK! Magazine that he’s urged his other half to ‘hold on as long as she can.’
‘Chyna is ready to pop – she’s raring to go,’ he said.
‘We’re not sure when it’s going to happen but if it’s during a live show, we’re prepared for that.
‘It would be ideal if it happened when I had some time off, but I’m buzzing with anticipation.’
Nadiya Bychkova also reportedly doesn’t have a celebrity dance partner on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The real reason for the snub has seemingly been revealed, and it’s down to a mixture of age, height, and chemistry.
Metro.co.uk contacted BBC, who didn’t want to comment.
Strictly Come Dancing begins on September 16 on BBC One at 6:35pm.
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