Strictly's most snubbed dancer Neil Jones reacts as once again he's left without a celebrity partner: 'I have two Guinness world records and 45 titles around the world'

Neil Jones has been left without a Strictly Come Dancing partner for another year.

The professional dancer, 44, joined the BBC dance competition in 2016 and has not been assigned a partner for seven of the ten years.

He was last paired with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024, where they lasted only two weeks before being eliminated.

Strictly 2026 launched with a pre-recorded show on Saturday where the pro dancers found out their celebrity partners, but once again Neil has been relegated to the subs bench alongside three of the new professionals. 

The show veteran addressed the snub in an Instagram video posted during Saturday night's launch show which saw him attempting to throw a pen into a cup before it was replaced with a much bigger bin, alongside the caption 'if I get the pen in the bin I will get a celeb partner'.

The dancer still missed, with fellow pro dancer Kai Widdrington, who has landed a celeb partner, catching the pen off camera.

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.'

Fans and Neil's co-stars flooded the post with laughing face emojis as they praised his optimism. 

It was previously revealed that Neil missed filming several pre-recorded group dances after suffering an injury during rehearsals.

A source told The Sun 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.'

15 new celebrities descended on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor on Saturday night as the 24th series kicked off in spectacular style. 

As the launch show got underway, fronted by new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, the dance partnerships were announced. 

The celeb contestants were split into groups of five to take part in three specially-choreographed dance routines to find out their partner. 

Dani Dyer, 30, returned for her second year after an ankle injury forced her to withdraw early in last year's competition. 

She was reunited with her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, 28, whom she was paired with last year.  

House of The Dragon actress and West End star Bethany Antonia, 28, partner was Nancy Xu, 35.

Bethany had requested a female dance partner after she was inspired by Nicola Adams and Katya Jones' coupling in 2020 as they helped with her coming out journey.

'That was life-changing for me - to see my family so supportive of an all-female couple and what that meant,' she said.

Nancy missed out on a partner last year so was delighted to be back in the competition once again. 

Love Island star Cach Mercer, 25, has been paired with one of the five new Strictly pro dancers Maddie Ingoldsby.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, is with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden.

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, is with Kai Widdrington whilst dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, is with Lauren Oakley.

Actress Jaime Winstone, 41, has been partnered with Carlos Gu, who will be hoping to replicate his 2025 win with Karen Carney.

Sports Youtuber John Nellis, 33, is with the show's longest-serving professional Katya Jones.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, has landed fan favourite Vito Coppola whilst Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb, 34, is with Jowita Przystał.

The oldest celebrity in the new series, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, is in good hands with long-time pro Aljaž Škorjanec.

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, has been paired with Julian Caillon whilst former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, is with Alexis Warr.

British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, is with another new pro Mark Karmalita and Big Brother presenter Will Best, 41, is with show favourite Dianne Buswell, who lifted the Gitterball in 2024.

Strictly continues on BBC One on Saturday September 26.