Katya Jones has reportedly been ‘axed’ from the main Strictly Come Dancing line-up following her kiss scandal with celebrity partner Seann Walsh.
The professional dancer, 29, who is married to co-star Neil Jones, 36, was spotted in October kissing the comedian, 33, who was in a relationship with Rebecca Humphries at the time.
And now Katya is said to have been ‘axed’ from the main cast of the hit BBC One series, despite the Russian choreographer being announced for the professional line-up in March.
‘Axed’: Katya Jones has reportedly been ‘axed’ from the main Strictly Come Dancing line-up following her kiss scandal with celebrity partner Seann Walsh
According to reports, the 29-year-old dancer has been issued an ultimatum to either accept a ‘reduced role’ or ‘walk away’.
However, a source told MailOnline that the decision to axe someone before official show details are announced is ‘unfounded’.
They added: ‘The decision is not decided until nearer the time and when celebrity pairings have been confirmed.’
Drama: The professional dancer, 29, who is married to co-star Neil Jones, 36, was spotted in October kissing the comedian, 33, who was in a relationship at the time (pictured in October 2018)
Strictly couple: According to reports, the 29-year-old dancer has been issued an ultimatum to either accept a ‘reduced role’ or ‘walk away’ (pictured with husband Neil Jones in 2017)
The reports come after a source told The Sun: ‘Katya knows she is being punished for her actions and the scandal she caused.
‘She feels BBC bosses are saying she can’t be trusted to act professionally with a celebrity.’
They added: ‘Katya can’t leave as Strictly is still a huge gig, and she has to support Neil like he has done for her so many years.’
MailOnline has contacted BBC One for comment.
The bold claims come after Katya was announced as one of the 17 professionals returning to Strictly Come Dancing this Autumn in March.
‘Unfounded’: However, a source told MailOnline that the decision to axe someone before official show details are announced is ‘unfounded’, with the decision not decided until nearer the time (Katya pictured with Seann on a Strictly still)
Katya joined the likes of Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton and Oti Mabuse on the list of 17 dancers returning to the hit BBC One dance show.
At the time, Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said of the line-up: ‘We are delighted that this year’s line-up of professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing is full of familiar faces and fan favourites.
‘This amazing cast of incredibly talented world class professional dancers have provided Strictly with some of its most memorable moments over the years and with more exciting announcements to come.
‘Plus world renowned choreographer Jason Gilkison also returning to the team, Strictly 2019 promises to continue to wow viewers with unforgettable performances as we welcome this dazzling line up of pros back to the ballroom.’
In March, Katya joined her husband Neil for their first TV interview on Lorraine since she was pictured kissing Seann in October, where she called herself ‘silly’.
Claims: The reports come after a source told The Sun: ‘Katya can’t leave as Strictly is still a huge gig, and she has to support Neil like he has done for her so many years.’ (pictured together in August 2018)
In a very different position to his wife following the scandal, Neil recalled how fans insisted he should split up with her after Katya was pictured locking lips with the comedian.
Instantly regretting her actions, the Russian dancer admitted she didn’t realise the ‘damaging’ consequences the ‘silly’ kiss would have on their Strictly family.
As host Lorraine questioned whether she was drunk, she responded: ‘Just silly me!’ She went on: ‘There were a lot of things going on.’
She added: ‘Yeah of course [I regret the kiss] and you don’t realise the extent of the damage, to our family… It was horrible for all the professionals who were constantly asked about it.’
Completely unphased, Neil confessed he was bombarded with DMs from Strictly fans who instructed him to break up with his wife of five years.
Confirmed: The bold claims come after Katya was announced as one of the 17 professionals returning to Strictly Come Dancing this Autumn in March
However, the choreographer revealed this wasn’t an option for him because he’s in it for the long haul with Katya — taking the ‘highs’ with the ‘lows’.
He said: ‘I was getting messages on Instagram. Everybody looks at things as a quick relationship. For me, it was all about understanding. I needed to speak to her.’
The dashing redhead candidly expressed the kiss was a ‘major shock’ but he stressed the whole time he was ‘worried about Katya’.
He elaborated: ‘It was a shock, for me a major shock. I appreciated that I found out before I saw it in the news. Strictly were fantastic with me. They supported us all.
‘It was the shock factor for me. It was me just worried about Katya. I was going to see what was going to happen. It was natural. We’ve been together a long time…
She’s made the list: Katya joined the likes of Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton and Oti Mabuse on the list of 17 dancers returning to the hit BBC One dance show
‘For me they are overreacting. There are worse things in the world.’
Neil had opened the Lorraine chat explaining things were ‘good’ between them and Katya later echoed his sentiments when she said they had ‘moved on’.
She said: ‘[There were] lots of different emotions. We’ve gone through that. We’ve moved on.’
Neil shared he has total faith in his wife and Katya explained she had cut contact with Seann following their appearance on the BBC show.
After pictures emerged of Katya and Seann kissing last year, the comedian’s then girlfriend Rebecca Humphries dumped him immediately.
‘I didn’t realise the damage’: In March, Katya joined her husband Neil for their first TV interview on Lorraine since she was pictured kissing Seann in October, where she called herself ‘silly’
Scandal: After pictures emerged of Katya and Seann kissing last year, the comedian’s then girlfriend Rebecca Humphries dumped him immediately (pictured together in October after their kiss)
The actress hit out at her ex in a Twitter statement, revealing the images of him kissing Katya were taken on her birthday on October 3, as she sat at home alone.
She also revealed she has had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks, but claimed when she brought it up her called her a ‘psycho’ and accused her of being ‘nuts’.
Rebecca, who said at the time she was yet to receive a first-hand apology, added that she had left him and taken the cat and is ‘not sorry’ for doing so.
Hitting out: Rebecca (pictured) hit out at her ex in a Twitter statement, revealing the images of him kissing Katya were taken on her birthday on October 3, as she sat at home alone
Rebecca’s statement: She also revealed she has had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks, but claimed when she brought it up her called her a ‘psycho’
While Seann wrote on Twitter after the pictures emerged: ‘I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.’
Katya also tweeted about the incident at the time and said: ‘I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks.
‘I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.’
Despite the pictures, the duo continued on Strictly Come Dancing but were eliminated on week six.