Strictly Come Dancing fans made the same complaint after the show revealed this year’s pairings during the premiere preview on Saturday.
After the episode aired on BBC One, the show’s official Instagram account shared a clip from the incredible ensemble where the celebrities and their dance partners took to the ballroom dance floor for the first time.
The caption read: “Our 15 fabulous couples! #Strictly 2023 is on!”
© Guy Levy This year’s celebrity lineup
While many viewers expressed their excitement for the newly announced pairings, others were disappointed to see that professional dancer Neil Jones was not paired with a celebrity.
Taking to the comments section, one person wrote: “Why Neil doesn’t have a partner again! It’s such a shame,” while another added: “Some amazing pairings but annoyed Neil hasn’t got a partner anymore.”
Neil is not in a couple with a famous partner this year
A third fan commented: “Love it as usual. I just wish Neil had a partner x.”
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Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova responds to fan support as she once again airs her disappointmentNeil, 41, first joined Strictly in 2016 and has been partnered with a celebrity contestant twice during his seven years on the show. He first appeared in the competition in series 17, when he was paired with former professional footballer Alex Scott. Then in 2021 he danced with EastEnders star Nina Wadia.
© BBCNeil Jones performs with Lauren Oakley, Anton Du Beke and Kai Widdrington during the launch
The dancer previously spoke about what he does when he is not paired with celebrity contestants.
“I would tell you honestly, I love it when I have a partner and I love it when I don’t,” he told RadioTimes.com.
“When you don’t have a partner, a lot of people think you’re just sitting at home. But not really.
“On Strictly they make sure you have a lot of work to do. We do group acts and musical acts, we help other professionals,” he added.
Although Neil has not partnered with a celebrity for the 2023 show, he will be very busy in his personal life in the coming weeks.
© Ricky Vigil M / Justin E PalmerNeil is expecting his first child with fiancee Chyna Mills
The BBC star is expecting his first child with his fiancée, model and former Love Island contestant Chyna Mills, and her due date is just around the corner.
In June, Neil and Chyna spoke with HELLO! for an exclusive interview and revealed that they are expecting a girl.
Neil and Chyna are having a baby girl
The couple made the announcement in a video shot at the London Palladium during Strictly Come Dancing: The Pro Tour, and were joined by Neil’s colleagues, Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Vito Coppola, Carlo Gu, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu and Jowita Przystal. Watch the special announcement in the video below.
WATCH: Special post by Neil Jones and Chyna Mills
MORE: Gorka Marquez’s sad farewell to her daughter Mia and baby Thiago moved fans emotionally
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On preparing for fatherhood, Neil said: “My outlook on life has changed. It’s not just about me anymore – I’ve got two people to look after.
“Gorka (Marquez) tells me how great it is,” said the dancer about his colleague, who has a four-year-old daughter Mia with fiancee Gemma Atkinson, and recently had a boy named Thiago. “People also keep warning me that I won’t sleep. As a dancer I’m used to that!”
Every previous winner of Strictly Come Dancing
- 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner of Brendan Cole)
- 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett)
- 2005: Darren Gough (partner of Lilia Kopylova)
- 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner of Karen Hardy)
- 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler)
- 2008: Tom Chambers (partner of Camilla Dallerup)
- 2009: Chris Hollins (partner of Ola Jordan)
- 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev)
- 2011: Harry Judd (partner of Aliona Vilani)
- 2012: Louis Smith (partner of Flavia Cacace)
- 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
- 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev)
- 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner of Aliona Vilani)
- 2016: Ore Oduba (partner of Joanne Clifton)
- 2017: Joe McFadden (partner of Katya Jones)
- 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
- 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner of Oti Mabuse)
- 2020: Bill Bailey (partner of Oti Mabuse)
- 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice)
- 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner of Jowita Przystał)
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education