Strictly star Neil Jones reveals brutal response to curse of no partner yet again

| TV Editor Published September 19, 2026 10:42pm Updated September 19, 2026 10:42pm Neil Jones has only ever had three Strictly partners in 10 years (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston/BBC Creative) Tonight on the Strictly Come Dancing launch show, the 15 celebrities – including Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Bethany Antonia and Will Best – found out their partners. However, not all of the pro dancers on the BBC series get to compete with a celebrity, and this year, Neil Jones has found himself unpartnered. The 44-year-old has been a part of Strictly since 2016, and yet has only had three celebrity partners: Alex Scott in 2019, Nina Wadia in 2021 and Toyah Willcox in 2022. Neil has responded directly to not having a partner yet again, as his personal Strictly curse continues – and his reaction is brutal, but brilliant. In a video posted on Instagram, he wrote on top of it: ‘If I get the pen in the bin I will get a celeb partner.’ Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The video then showed him holding a pen directly over a bin, dropping it… but then, before it has a chance to land in the receptacle, someone else extends their arm and catches it. Neil walks away, a disgruntled expression on his face as awkward music plays in the background. In his caption, the dancer and choreographer wrote: ‘Pen in the cup 2.0 😂 ‘You know I love being part of @bbcstrictly and honestly after adding 2 Guiness world records last year to my 45 titles around the world, I feel like it would be greedy to win the glitter ball as well so I wanted to give the others a chance 😜😂😂😂.’ Several Strictly stars commented underneath the comical video, with pro dancer Kai Widdrington hailing Neil the ‘goat’ (greatest of all time). Neil danced with Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley in last year’s Christmas special (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) ‘Screaming. I love you 😂🥲,’ said House of the Dragon star Bethany Antona, who’s competing this year with Nancy Xu in the first same-sex pairing in three years. Meanwhile, lots of Strictly fans expressed their confusion and upset over Neil not having a partner once more. ‘So sad that you haven’t gotten a partner again this year,’ said Jem, while Poppy wrote: ‘Christmas special’s yours boo.’ Who are the Strictly couples for the 2026 series? The full line-up of celebrities and their pro dancer partners are: Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley Jowita Przystal and Lawrence Robb Will Best and Dianne Buswell Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec Mark Karmalita and Tabby Stoecker, Julian Caillon and Dame Sarah Storey Maddie Ingoldsby and Cach Mercer Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden John Nellis and Katya Jones Carlos Gu and Jaime Winstone Nikita Kuzmin and Dani Dyer Kai Widdrington and Delta Goodrem Nancy Xu and Bethany Antonia ‘We need a government petition to give Neil a partner next year!’ Charlotte stated. Becki also said that while Neil’s video made her laugh, she’s ‘gutted you haven’t been paired up 🥺’. ‘Can’t believe you didn’t get a partner…AGAIN! 😢,’ said Lynne, as the similarly named Lyn added: ‘The best professional on the show and once again no partner, I am so disappointed, and if it wasn’t for you being there I would stop watching it.😢.’ At least Neil seems to be taking it on the chin! Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday night on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Arrow MORE: Strictly fans give their honest verdict on new presenters: ‘Three’s a crowd’ Arrow MORE: Strictly fans ecstatic over incredible same-sex pairing for first time in 3 years Arrow MORE: Strictly fans convinced one ‘fantastic’ new pairing are already the frontrunners to win TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.