Neil Jones 'jokes' about lacking a celeb partner again as series returns

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones ‘joked’ about not getting a celebrity partner again on Tuesday after the series returned to screens.

The professional dancer, 43, last starred on the show in 2024 when he was partnered with Toyah Willcox, previously he had missed out in both 2023 and 2022.

Sharing a fun video to Instagram, Neil threw a pen and claimed he would get to star on the show if it landed into a cup.

After limbering up he appeared to take his aim before threw it off to the side of the studio.

Neil captioned the Instagram post: ‘It’s all jokes and giggle and no matter with or without a partner I just love being part of Strictly so thank you for all your love but come on tell me who’s your favourite couple?’

This year’s professional dancers include Dianne Buswell, who lifted the glitter ball in December with Chris McCausland.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones ‘joked’ about not getting a celebrity partner again on Tuesday after the series returned to screens

The professional dancer, 43, last starred on the show in 2024 when he was partnered with Toyah Willcox, previously he had missed out in both 2023 and 2022

She is joined by Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal in returning to the series.

They will be joined by Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola who have also taken to the floor once more.

The competition’s launch show ratings were revealed on Sunday amid a string of ongoing scandals.

The pre-recorded episode saw the latest batch of 15 celebs meeting their pro partners for the first time before taking to the dance floor to perform a group routine.

Strictly has found itself embroiled in controversy of late, from bullying claims and a drug probe to this year’s competitor Thomas Skinner’s affair scandal.

But despite this, overnight figures show ratings for the 2025 launch matched 2024, peaking at 5.6 million viewers and averaging 5.4 million across the 90minute show.

While this may sound good news for the broadcaster, 2024’s launch was down a million viewers on the previous year.

This meant this year Strictly was watched by four million more people than anything else in that time slot. However the overnight figure does not include on-demand viewing from BBC iPlayer where millions are known to watch the show.

Sharing a fun video to Instagram, Neil threw a pen and claimed he would get to star on the show if it landed into a cup – but threw it off to the side of the studio instead

Neil captioned the Instagram post: ‘It’s all jokes and giggle and no matter with or without a partner I just love being part of Strictly’ (pictured last year with Toyah Willcox)

The BBC told Daily Mail this week that they will be standing by new contestant Thomas Skinner after it emerged he cheated on his wife.

In August, it was claimed two of the show’s stars are being investigated for using drugs, while another historic name has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

These are just the tip of the iceberg in what’s been months of turmoil for the series, in the wake of Wynne Evans’ controversial axe and allegations of abusive behaviour aimed at pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

In the past, Strictly fans also quipped about show’s famous ‘curse,’ which saw some stars engage in romances with their professional partners during or after the show.

STRICTLY LINEUP 2025

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Age: 36

Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator

Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’

Alex Kingston

Age: 62

Profession: Doctor Who actress

The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’

Balvinder Sopal

Age: 46

Profession: EastEnders actress

Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’

La Voix

Age: 45

Profession: Drag performer

She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’

Thomas Skinner

Age: 34

Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur

He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’

Vicky Pattison

Age: 37

Profession: Reality TV star

She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’

Karen Carney

Age: 38

Profession: Football pundit

She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’

George Clark

Age: 25

Profession: YouTuber

He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’

Dani Dyer

Age: 29

Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner

Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Age: 53

Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.

He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’

Ellie Goldstein

Age: 23

Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador

She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.

Chris Robshaw

Age: 39

Profession: Rugby player

He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.