Strictly’s Neil Jones ‘devastated’ as he’s ‘ditched from main line-up and won’t receive a celeb partner’

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Neil Jones has been left 'devastated' after he was ditched from the main line-up and won't receive a celeb partner this year.

claims the 38-year-old dancer has been demoted back to the group routines after just one year in the main line-up.

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Neil was partnered with Alex Scott for the 2019 series, the first time he had been paired with a celebrity, and the couple made it to week 11.

Despite his success, the publication claims Neil has been overlooked for a celebrity on this year's shortened series.

A source close to the show told the outlet: "After a lot of discussion it was decided that Neil will be dropped from the line-up of professional dancers, so he won’t be partnered with a contestant.

"He will still be part of the show, but only in group ­routines. So viewers won’t see much of him any more."

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Neil joined the BBC dancing show in 2016 and appeared in group numbers as well as on spin-off show, It Takes Two.

Viewers were desperate for him to get a celebrity partner and their wishes finally came true last year when he was paired with former footballer Alex, 35.

There has been plenty of drama during Neil's four years on the show, as he had to deal with his then-wife and fellow dancer Katya publicly snogging her 2018 celebrity partner Seann Walsh.

The couple then confirmed their split in August last year after six years of marriage, and last month he revealed he was in a new relationship with Colombian dancer Luisa Eusse.

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This year's series will be on a shorter run compared to previous years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Boxer Nicola Adams has been confirmed for the first same-sex pairing and The Sun exclusively revealed that the female pros are fighting among themselves to be coupled with her.

Neil's ex Katya is the front-runner to dance with Nicola, with an insider revealing: "The fact the pros are jostling to be with Nicola is a fantastic sign of progress. When Strictly started in less accepting times 16 years ago, they may have had to give it more careful consideration.”

The Sun Online has contacted a representative for Strictly for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing will begin on Saturday, October 17 on BBC One.