BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Joneshas revealed she is making a major career move away from the beloved dance programme.
The 35-year-old Russian dancer and choreographer has previously teased other projects, fuelling speculation she was planning an exit.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, the dancer announced: “I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be joining ‘Dancing with the Stars Belgium’ as a judge!
“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,” she continued.
Jones has announced a major career move away from Strictly
BBC
“Teach me some Flemish words that I can use on the show?” the star signed off.
The Belgian show is a sister programme to the British original, part of a sprawling international network of adaptations in dozens of countries.
Jones’ Strictly co-stars were quick to flood the comments of her post with well-wishes.
“Amazing congratulations my love,” Aussie pro and 2024 series champion Dianne Buswell wrote while Amy Dowden declared: “Go on queen! You DESERVE THIS”
“Yes Katyush!!!!” Polish pro Jowita Przystal wrote, affectionately using the full Slavic version of Jones’ name.
Fans also sent their congratulations but wondered what it meant for the future, with one worrying: “I hope this doesn’t mean you’re leaving Strictly in the UK?”
Others were quick to point out that Jones has already been confirmed to appear on the 2025 series, among the professional line-up recently announced by the BBC.
The announcement came as the latest development in speculation among some fans that the Russian dancer was plotting an exit from Strictly after the 2024 series.
Jones was partnered with GoCompare star Wynne Evans in the latest outing and while the pair progressed far into the competition, their campaign was marked with awkward gaffes from the Welsh broadcaster.
Evans was later axed from the Strictly live show after making a lurid remark towards former pro and It Takes Two Host Janette Manrara.
Jones had been partnered with Wynne Evans for the 2024 series
BBC
Even still, Jones publicly backed Evans and told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine: “I can only obviously speak from my personal experience, but I thought Wynne was incredible.
“We spent a huge amount of time together, and we had a brilliant partnership. We got on like a house on fire,” she added.
In March, Jones hinted that she was considering her future away from Strictly in “creating a future for myself doing things I love”.
“I will continue doing it as long as I have the same passion for it. But we are growing and evolving. And not getting any younger,” she said in a Q&A session.
In what proved to be a tease, the dancer posed by a ‘judges only’ sign and teased: “Hm… we might get to see soon what kind of judge I am going to be.”
She elaborated on her qualifications, saying: “I’ve got the knowledge and the credentials to be technically demanding, but I have been on the other side for so long that I understand the importance of being compassionate and encouraging.”
