Strictly’s Katya and Neil Jones look strained and distant in final photo before their shock split
STRICTLY couple Neil and Katya Jones looked strained and distant in their last picture before they announced their split.
The pair, who have been married six years, confirmed the break-up on Instagram this afternoon - ten months after the Russian dancer was pictured kissing celebrity partner Seann Walsh.
Katya looked glum as she gazed off into the distance, still wearing her wedding ring in the shot.
The Strictly beauty was dressed casually in a sleeveless denim jacket decorated with badges, and a white t-shirt.
Neil looked smart in a black leather jacket and wore a rucksack.
He appeared to be distracted by his phone as he stood alongside his ex.
The former couple's romance was rocked last year when The Sun On Sunday pictured Katya snogging her Strictly celeb partner Seann outside of a pub following a late-night rehearsal.
She apologised on spin-off show It Takes Two four days after the kiss during a joint appearance with comic Seann.
Neil stood by his wife at the time, but today announced in a joint statement: "Hi everyone. As our fans and loyal supporters you are really important to us and so we wanted to let you know some news. After 11 years we have made the mutual decision to separate.
"We will always love each other, just in a different way as friends. This will never change what a great team we make and we are really proud of everything we have achieved together.
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"Our shared love of dance means we will keep working and dancing together as well as exploring individual projects. No matter what we do we will always support and respect each other.
"We wish one another every happiness and we will remain the best of friends. We are really looking forward to getting back to the ballroom and can't wait to keep on dancing. Lots of love from us both xx".
Last October, Katya said: "I can’t apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved.
“But, the main thing, me and Neil are absolutely fine and that’s what matters to me the most right now and focusing on my job and doing it as professionally I can.”
Katya and Seann remained on the BBC One show, despite the controversy, and were eventually voted out three weeks later.
Ginger hunk Neil told how he forgave Katya for her betrayal during an interview with Sun columnist Lorraine Kelly last March.
He said: “It was a shock. It was a major shock. I appreciated it of course that Katya told me so I found out from Kayta before it appeared."
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