Strictly's Neil Jones 'will NOT be paired with a celebrity partner' for the seventh time as the dancer is benched for the upcoming series

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Strictly's Neil Jones has reportedly 'not been paired with a celebrity partner' again for the upcoming series.

The pro dancer, who is said to be 'gutted', 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.

Neil will now reportedly join the other dancers on the bench after he was injured in rehearsals this month.

According to The Sun, he missed several pre-recorded group dances.

A source said: 'Neil is a much-loved and valued member of the cast, but sadly not all the pros can get a partner.

Strictly's Neil Jones has reportedly 'not been paired with a celebrity partner' for the upcoming series

The pro dancer, who is said to be 'gutted,' joined the BBC dance competition in 2016 and has not been assigned a partner for seven of the ten years (pictured last partnered with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024)

'Bosses love him because of his jokey personality, so expect to see him on set as much as possible.'

The Daily Mail has contacted BBC for comment.

Last month, Strictly became embroiled in a fresh 'fix' row as it's claimed nine of the celebrities have past dance experience.

Throughout the years, the BBC dancing show has come under fire for signing up stars who have some form of dancing or performance history, and it appears that this year is no different if new reports are to go by.

The Sun reported that with nine out of the 15 celebrities having past experience, 60 per cent of the cast will have an advantage over their fellow competitors.

Among those who have dance or performing arts experience, Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb was a former pupil at The Dance School of Scotland for two years.

He then went on to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before making appearances in the West End.

Prior to appearing on Love Island, Cach Mercer worked as a professional dancer with a specialism in Hip-hop and Afrobeats, while Dani Dyer was quoted as calling herself a 'qualified dancer' in her 2019 autobiography.

Last month Strictly become embroiled in a fresh 'fix' row as it's claimed that nine of the celebrities have past dance experience [L-R judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke]

As a child, the fellow Love Island winner attended O’Farrell’s Stage School in east London on weekends for 12 years.

Meanwhile, EastEnders star Lacey Turner also had experience in her younger years, attending Sylvia Young Theatre School, while as a child, singer Delta Goodrem had lessons in dancing, singing and acting.

Jaime Winstone did a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Harlow College, Essex, with the course covering dancing, musical theatre and production.

Another star with educational experience includes House of the Dragon's Bethany Antonia, who attended the BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy in Birmingham where she studied musical theatre.

Gavin and Stacey favourite Melanie Walters, who has yet to be officially announced, starred in the Cinderella pantomime as the Fairy Godmother, treading the boards of the Bournemouth Pavilion during last year's festive season.

While back in 2012, presenter and best-selling author Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall took part in a dance competition called ‘Strictly Northampton’.

An insider told the publication: '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 contacted representatives of Strictly Come Dancing for comment.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: '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!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'