Married Strictly Come Dancing professionals Katya and Neil Jones have announced that they have split up after 11 years together.
The pair – who have been married since 2013, and dated for five years previously – revealed the news in a joint statement, just weeks before they’re both due to return to Strictly for this year’s series.
“As our fans and loyal supporters you are really important to us and so we wanted to let you know some news. After 11 years, we have made the mutual decision to separate,” they said.
“We will always love each other, just in a different way as friends. This will never change what a great team we make and we are really proud of everything we have achieved together.
“Our shared love of dance means we will keep working and dancing together as well as exploring individual projects. No matter what we do we will always support and respect each other.”
They added: “We wish one another every happiness and we will remain the best of friends. We are really looking forward to getting back to the ballroom and can’t wait to keep on dancing.”
A representative for the couple also stated that the break-up was a recent decision, shutting down the suggestion it was based on the scandal they found themselves at the centre of during last year’s Strictly.
“It would be incorrect and unfair to attribute their separation to one isolated incident,” they said, via The Mirror.
Katya made headlines during last year’s series when she was caught on camera kissing her celebrity partner, comedian Seann Walsh, during a night out.
At the time, she insisted that the incident was not a reflection on her relationship with Neil, and the pair later said that they were keen to start a family.