BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Katya Jones addresses dating life after 'split from partner'

Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has opened up about her personal life following speculation that she had split from her rumoured partner William Abbotts.

The professional dancer, 34 - who has been on the BBC show since 2016 - is understood to have done a Q&A on her Instagram account recently. Katya answered questions submitted by some of her followers through the platform.

She reportedly addressed her dating life in one response and expressed gratitude for her life. One fan is said to have asked: "Is there a special man in your life [right now]?" Katya is believed to have responded with a photo of herself holding up a notebook which had "no" written on a page.

Another question, according to the Express, asked what she would do if she had 12 months to change her life. Katya reportedly replied: "Absolutely NOTHING! I love my life. I love people that I choose to be it. I have managed to create a great work/life balance for the last few years. I love the freedom that it gives me. I adore my job." She's said to have added: "And I am aware that it is a privilege to be able to say that. So I feel extremely grateful."

Katya was believed to have been dating property developer William, 26, last year. The choreographer's apparent romance with former youth international footballer William attracted attention and they were spotted out in public.

It was reported in July last year that the pair had been seeing each other for "a little while" and were "just having fun going out on dates" together. A source told the Sun that Katya and William weren't "rushing into anything" though.

Three months later, it was reported in October that she had separated from William. It was suggested at the time that the relationship "ran its course" and that Katya was instead focused on reaching the final on the latest series of Strictly. A source told the Sun: "The union ran its course. Katya is single and focusing on the dance competition. She knows she has a strong chance of making it to the final this year." They added that she didn't want "any distractions".

Katya was partnered with actor Nigel Harman, 50, for the BBC dance competition at the time. He had once been one of the favourites to reach the final but it was announced shortly before the quarter-final that the pair had left the contest after Casualty star Nigel sustained an injury.

It meant that there was no elimination that week on the show. Former professional tennis player Annabel Croft and her dance partner Johannes Radebe were subsequently voted out of the competition the following week.

The final saw EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell, as well as West End performer Layton Williams and his partner Nikita Kuzmin, place as runners-up. The contest was won by former Coronation Street cast member Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.

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