Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has reportedly not been paired with a celebrity partner for the upcoming series, the seventh time in ten years he has been left without a dance partner on the BBC show.
Jones, who joined the competition in 2016, is said to be 'gutted' by the news. He was last partnered with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024, when the pair lasted just two weeks before being eliminated.
According to The Sun, Jones will now join the show's other unpartnered dancers on the bench after being injured during rehearsals this month, which caused him to miss several pre-recorded group dances.
A source told the newspaper: 'Neil is a much-loved and valued member of the cast, but sadly not all the pros can get a partner. Bosses love him because of his jokey personality, so expect to see him on set as much as possible.' The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment.
Strictly's Neil Jones has reportedly not been paired with a celebrity partner for the upcoming series.
Fresh 'fix' row over dance experience
The news comes weeks after Strictly became embroiled in a fresh 'fix' row, with reports claiming that nine of this year's 15 celebrity contestants have past dance or performance experience.
The Sun reported that with nine of the 15 celebrities having previous experience, 60 per cent of the cast will have an advantage over their fellow competitors. The BBC show has repeatedly faced criticism over the years for signing up stars with dance or performing arts backgrounds.
![Strictly become embroiled in a 'fix' row as it's claimed nine of the celebrities have past dance experience [L-R judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke]](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/09/13/19/110518065-16128195-Strictly_Come_Dancing_has_become_embroiled_in_a_fresh_fix_row_as-a-41_1789324544714.jpg)
![Throughout the years, the show has come under fire for signing up stars who have dancing or performance history [L-R hosts Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe]](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/09/13/19/110518033-16128195-Throughout_the_years_the_BBC_dancing_show_has_come_under_fire_fo-a-42_1789324549759.jpg)
Which stars have dance backgrounds?
Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb was a pupil at The Dance School of Scotland for two years before attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and appearing in the West End.
Love Island winner Cach Mercer worked as a professional dancer specialising in hip-hop and Afrobeats before joining the ITV show, while fellow Love Island winner Dani Dyer described herself as a 'qualified dancer' in her 2019 autobiography. As a child, Dyer attended O'Farrell's Stage School in east London on weekends for 12 years.
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School in her younger years, while singer Delta Goodrem took lessons in dancing, singing and acting as a child. Actress Jaime Winstone completed a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Harlow College in Essex, a course covering dancing, musical theatre and production.
House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia attended the BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy in Birmingham, where she studied musical theatre. Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters, who had not yet been officially announced as a contestant at the time of the report, played the Fairy Godmother in a Cinderella pantomime at the Bournemouth Pavilion last Christmas. Presenter and author Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall took part in a competition called 'Strictly Northampton' back in 2012.
An insider told The Sun: 'There is no rule that celebrities cannot have dance experience before taking part and it would be near impossible to find a cast of celebrities who have no previous dance experience as many people in the entertainment industry go to stage school.' The Daily Mail has also contacted representatives of Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Meet the 2026 contestants
Fifteen celebrities have been announced for the new series. They include EastEnders' Lacey Turner, 38, known for playing Stacey Slater; Neighbours actress and singer Delta Goodrem, 41; and Love Island 2025 winner and TikTok influencer Cach Mercer, 25.
Also taking part are Dame Sarah Storey, 48, Britain's most successful Paralympian; House of the Dragon's Bethany Antonia, 28; and Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall, 59, who hosts Channel 5's Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
The line-up is completed by Olympic skeleton champion Tabby Stoecker, 25; Gavin & Stacey's Melanie Walters, 64; Love Island winner Dani Dyer, 30; celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43; Big Brother host Will Best, 41; actress Jaime Winstone, 41; former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44; Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb, 34; and YouTuber John Nellis, 33.
Dyer said of her return to the ballroom: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!' Dame Sarah Storey said: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'
