BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing sparks mixed fan reaction as much-loved pro makes comeback
After 10 years as a Strictly professional, Neil Jones has finally been paired with a celebrity partner.
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Strictly Come Dancing has finally made its glitzy comeback to the BBC with a number of long-awaited returns.
The beloved Amy Dowden starred on the dancefloor with her first pairing in two years after she stepped away from the show to undergo cancer treatments.
Aljaz Skorjanec was also welcomed back to Strictly following his 2022 exit and was paired with former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
Alongside the returning duo, Neil Jones was finally given the chance to compete with singer Toyah Willcox.
Although the dancer has been a pro on the series for 10 years, he has only been partnered twice throughout his tenure but his appearance sparked a mixed reaction.
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Taking to X with excitement, @kerriewithan posted: “Neil's got a partner. NEIL HAS GOT A PARTNER!!! Woooohooooooo!!!!”
A thrilled @HarleenQzel40 added: “Well chuffed for Neil! He deserves to be back in the main game!”
As @georgiawade echoed: “I'm glad Neil has a partner this year he is a great choreographer.”
However, not all fans were pleased as @Jam_3192 complained: “Neil over Carlos?!? Come on.. who makes these decisions!!!”
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@_tventhusiast fumed: “Giving Neil a partner instead of Carlos and Kai?! WTF EXPLAIN NOW! That's Strictly treason!”
Another viewer @josephfelldown added: “Giving Neil a partner but benching Kai and Carlos is perhaps the strangest decision they've made in a year of strange and terrible decisions.”
Neil previously shared his hopes of becoming a Strictly judge and said: “I honestly think it's still going to be here. It's going to keep growing and developing.
“I can't imagine myself still dancing on the show in 20 years' time, as much as I would love to, I don't know if my body will handle that. That would make me 62, you never know! Maybe I'll be a judge by then,” he said on Morning Live.
