Strictly pro dancer hits out online as he fails to secure a celeb partner and goes missing during launch show

A Strictly fan-favourite pro dancer has hit back after missing out on a celebrity partner yet again, as fans questioned his role in the new series. Neil Jones, 44, appeared in the launch show’s opening dance but was left without a celebrity to train for the competition. Neil has hit back at not getting a partner with a cheeky video on social media Credit: BBC Neil was notably absent from the ‘Clauditorium’ during the launch show The dance pro featured in the show’s pre-recorded opener – yet was notably absent from the rest of the show. He addressed the snub in a cheeky Instagram video, attempting to throw a pen into a cup before it was replaced with a much bigger bin. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The dance champ still missed, with someone off camera catching the pen instead. Alongside the clip, he joked: “You know I love being part of @bbcstrictly and honestly after adding 2 Guinness World Records last year to my 45 titles around the world, I feel like it would be greedy to win the glitterball as well so I wanted to give the others a chance.” Neil appeared in the launch show’s opening dances Credit: PA Neil was last paired with Toyah Willcox in 2024 Credit: PA One fan wrote on X: “I swear Neil Jones lives in the Elstree Strictly studio all year round just waiting to appear in the background each year.” Another joked: “Neil Jones should go on as a contestant. That way he might actually get a dance.” Neil joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and has been paired with a celebrity in just three of his 11 series. He last competed with Toyah Willcox in 2024, when they were eliminated in the third week. Most read in TV The Sun previously reported that Neil missed several pre-recorded group dances after suffering an injury during rehearsals. A source said at the time: “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.” Strictly Come Dancing continues with its first live show next Saturday, September 26, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 1 comment1