Katya Jones Promises a Joyful Strictly Come Dancing Return

has broken her silence after surviving Come Dancing's brutal bloodbath that saw a string of stars axed from the series.

The Russian dancer, 36, took to Instagram on Friday with leggy snap of herself in a skimpy and sparkly look from the series, promising fans her return would 'give them a reason to smile'.

In recent months , , 43, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, , 36, and , 35, have all been given the boot. While the BBC confirmed the 2026 pro-line up on Thursday, with Katya staying put, making it her 11th series.

She wrote on Instagram : 'See you in September. Back on @bbcstrictly . To give all of you a reason to smile, bring families together, to offer something joyful to carry us through the winter. Shall we dance?'.

Fans were delighted with the news, writing: 'Fantastic news Katya. Congratulations on another year at Strictly': 'The best choreography in my humble opinion': 'I'm so pleased you get to continue showing us all your extraordinary dance skills and flair!': 'Yessss Katya!!!!! Can’t wait to see you back'.

Dianne Buswell, who competed on the show last year while pregnant with her first child, and gave birth to son Bowden in March, will also return for the new series.

Amy Dowden will also be back on the show, after her stint on last year's run came to an early end, when she and Thomas Skinner were the first pair to be eliminated. 

Also set to return are: Julian Caillon, Neil Jones, , Jowita Przystał, , Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, , Nancy Xu, and Vito Coppola.

Bosses also revealed that there will be brand new professional dancers joining the line-up in 2026, while judges , Motsi Mabuse, and Head Judge  are also set to return.

However, they have still not secured new hosts following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure, and it's a race against time with just four months to go before the 24th series is due to kick off. 

Last week, Gorka confirmed his permanent departure from  Come Dancing – putting an end to ongoing uncertainty regarding his future on the show.

The Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high-profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year's bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote: 'After last year's decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain, I've decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.