Katya Jones has said she broke down in tears when she tested positive for COVID-19 which meant she and Nicola Adams were forced to pull out of the competition
The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 31, revealed she was so distraught she asked show bosses if it was possible to keep the boxer, 38, in the competition after the diagnosis.
Making an appearance alongside Nicola on BBC’s Morning Live on Monday, Katya admitted: ‘Well I got a phone call and I broke down instantly, and Nicola didn’t understand what was going on.
‘I broke down instantly’: Strictly’s Katya Jones admitted on Monday she was devastated after testing positive for COVID-19 meaning she and Nicola Adams had to pull out of the show
‘I kept saying “can she carry on without me? Can she carry on without me?” For me that’s the thing, I want our celebs to have the best experience and go as far as possible.’
Nicola said she was surprised she managed to avoid getting it, as she claimed: ‘Yea and the fact that I didn’t catch it as well absolutely blew my mind.
‘It was difficult because I’m a champion, I’m a fighter, I rather go out on my shield rather than be taken out by a virus but we had to abide by the rules and we wanted to keep everyone safe.’
However, Nicola teased the possibility she could return to the show as she went on: ‘But, who knows maybe I’ll get a second chance.’
Upset: Katya revealed she was so distraught she asked show bosses if it was possible to keep the boxer in the competition after the diagnosis
Distraught: Katya said of the moment she tested positive, ‘I broke down instantly, and Nicola didn’t understand what was going on. ‘I kept saying “can she carry on without me?”‘
Katya insisted that Nicola could only perform with her if she returned to the programme in the future.
Nicola explained that when she signed up for the show she requested she be partnered with a woman and be part of the show’s first same-sex couple.
She said of the show bosses’ reaction to her request: ‘They got back to me and said they support that so I thought brilliant, this is going to be absolutely amazing.
‘I’ve gone from never dancing before in my life to now taking up dancing. I didn’t have a clue what any of the dances were and I actually love dancing now.’
Honest: Nicola was surprised she managed to avoid getting it, and she said: ‘It was difficult because I’m a champion… I rather go out on my shield rather than be taken out by a virus’
Keen for more: However, Nicola teased the possibility she could return to the show as she went on: ‘But, who knows maybe I’ll get a second chance’
Katya was then asked about their return to the programme for a special performance during the final, which she said was a ‘positive’.
‘We get to have the chance without having the pressure of comments or scores, ‘ she explained. ‘It felt like purely the expression of what we wanted to show, and I think for you Nickie that’s the message, that’s the energy you wanted to bring.
‘It’s a little bit sexy, but but in a most tasteful way. We’ve literally put everything in it. Your legs are hurting.’
MailOnline had previously revealed that the boxer and the Russian dancer were forced to pull out of Strictly after Katya contracted Covid and had to self-isolate for 14 days.
Back for more: Katya was asked about their return for a special performance during the final, and said ‘We get to have the chance without having the pressure of comments or scores’
Talking on Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, via video from her home, Nicola revealed: ‘Well, you know, as my saying goes: “I do like doing the most”. Me and Katya will be coming back!’
To which host Zoe Ball quickly clarified they would be dancing for one last time, rather than taking part in the competition again.
Nicola went on to explain to Zoe, 49, that it was ‘frustrating’ not being able to continue on this year’s series of Strictly, but said that she was ‘doing her part’.
She continued: ‘I’m doing okay, thanks. It was a little bit frustrating not being able to continue and I’d just got back into the swing of things.
‘I was enjoying the dancing and everything but the rules are in place to keep everybody safe so I’m doing my part.’
Nicola also sweetly praised Katya and said that she has got a ‘friend for life’ with the two ‘helping each other out’ during their isolation period.
The flyweight champion said: ‘Katya has been such an amazing dance partner, I can’t thank her enough. I definitely feel like I’ve got a friend for life.
‘We’ve been keeping in touch, making TikToks and doing FaceTimes, everything, so we’ve been helping each other out.’
Exciting: Of their new dance, Katya teased: ‘It’s a little bit sexy, but but in a most tasteful way. We’ve literally put everything in it’