Strictly Come Dancing Star Katya Jones Reveals Heartbreaking Doubts About Returning After Shock Elimination With Lewis Cope — As Her Promising New Partnership Brings Fresh Attention To The Pain Behind Last Year’s Exit

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Comprehensive Deep-Dive: Katya Jones Shares Heartbreaking Reason Behind Her Initial Hesitation to Return to Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has opened up about the deep emotional turmoil that led her to question her future on the hit BBC dance competition following the previous season.

1. The Emotional Toll of Last Year’s Shock Elimination

Reflecting on her journey in the 2025 series, Jones revealed that the abrupt end to her run with actor Lewis Cope left a lasting psychological mark.
  • High Expectations and Devastation: Widely regarded as frontrunners to win the competition, Jones and Cope suffered a shock elimination in the quarter-finals. Jones admitted that the intense buildup and high expectations made the sudden exit particularly crushing.
  • Internal Blame and Doubt: In the wake of the exit, a tearful Jones openly blamed herself on It Takes Two, questioning whether she could have done more for her partner. This lingering heartbreak caused her to seriously question if she had the emotional resilience to face the grueling pressure cooker of another series.

    Jones and Lewis Cope were voted off last year in a major upset

2. Choosing to Return for 2026

Despite her initial doubts and the heavy burden of past disappointments, Jones ultimately decided to lace up her dance shoes once more.
  • A Brand New Partnership: For the current 2026 series, Jones was paired with YouTube star John Nellis, with the duo making an explosive start by topping the leaderboard in week one.
  • Driven by Passion: Jones emphasized that her deep love for the show and choreography is what ultimately brought her back, noting that the moment that passion fades is the day she will walk away for good.