Strictly Come Dancing's Katya Jones has certainly ridden a rollercoaster of highs and lows, yet she remains undeterred by the challenges.
At 35, the professional dancer and choreographer has wowed both judges and audiences with her exceptional dance skills since she first graced the BBC stage in 2016. Her previous dance partners include politician Ed Balls and comedian Seann Walsh, and for the 2024 series, she's dancing with Welsh opera star Wynne Evans.
However, they're tipped to be the next couple eliminated this weejend after a couple of misfired 'pranks' during the last live show landed them in trouble. Viral clips from the broadcast depict Katya turning away from Wynne's attempted 'high five' and adjusting his hand as it strayed over her waist.
The duo took to social media to apologise for their behaviour, expressing that they were "heartbroken" over the public's response.
Away from the glitter and glam of the dancefloor, Katya's personal life has also been subject to public scrutiny, including a controversial kiss with a contestant and her subsequent divorce from another dancer, reports Birmingham Live.
The infamous Strictly 'curse' looms over participants, hinting that involvement in the show might spell disaster for their personal relationships. This pattern has not gone unnoticed by sharp-eyed fans who've observed its impact on several contestants and professional dancers throughout the years, and it appears Katya has not been spared, as noted by the Mirror.
In 2018, Katya and her dance partner Seann Walsh were caught in an embrace, despite Katya's marriage to fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones. At the time, Seann was in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries and later escaped to America following the uproar, where he has since voiced his remorse.
During his 2022 comedy tour, Seann recounted a pivotal incident: "I left the wardrobe department and before I could order my first beer, my agent came over to and asked if he could have a word with me outside. I thought, 'He is going to tell me I have got Michael McIntyre's Big Show! I had better act surprised!"
However, the truth was far from what he expected: "Turns out, I didn't have to act surprised. We went into the car park, my agent looked over his glasses and said, 'About 20 minutes ago, they posted a photo of you kissing Katya outside a pub'. It was at that exact point that my life would turn upside down - the dream turned into a nightmare."
Seann confessed: "I was in a relationship, my dance partner Katya was married. After training, we went for a drink, one thing led to another and we were photographed kissing outside a pub. Awful, I know. It's awful - I'm sorry. I'm still sorry now."
When Katya appeared on The Lovejoy Hour podcast, she reflected on the past incident but maintained it "doesn't define her" and emphasised how much personal growth she has experienced since. She confidently stated: "Whatever is written or whatever people think, it doesn't matter. I'm so disconnected from it."
In 2019, following a public incident, Katya and Neil decided to dissolve their six-year marriage. Amidst speculation, Neil clarified in an interview with The Sun that the episode involving Seann Walsh wasn't the cause of their split, explaining: "We found that we'd grown apart like people do, so we were like, 'OK, let's go our separate ways'. We are lucky that we don't have kids."
Reflecting on their present friendship post-divorce he said: "It had nothing to do with what happened [with Seann]. We were moving in different directions but we are friends again now. Katya is a great girl and I've got nothing bad to say about her."
Now at 41, Neil is engaged to former Love Island contestant Chyna Mills; they have recently celebrated the birth of their daughter, Havana Jones. Speaking to Hello! magazine about his hopes for his daughter's future, Neil shared: "It would be amazing if she wants to be a dancer, but she can be whatever she wants to be."
Earlier this year, Katya disclosed her unconventional strategy in the quest for romance, showing little interest in common dating apps. In an interview with The Sun, she divulged: "We will be definitely going on a husband-hunting trip very soon. I mean we're constantly husband-hunting. Modern dating is very complicated, I don't always understand men's thinking, but I'd like to think I'm a good judge of character."
Recently, when the Daily Express posed questions to Katya regarding her search for a life partner, she replied energetically, "It's going! It's still going! It's still on."
Her friend, Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller, added: "The hunt is on. There are lots of good events in the next few weeks so we will be out, living. That's what it's all about. Good conversation and meeting people is everything."
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturdays and Sundays and on BBC iPlayer