Strictly professional Katya Jones says hand incident a ‘very silly inside joke’

Strictly dancer Katya Jones has dismissed suggestions she was made to feel “uncomfortable or offended” as “complete nonsense” after a moment during Saturday night’s show saw her move Wynne Evans’ hand from her waist.

The professional dancer, 35, and her celebrity partner, opera singer Evans, 52, apologised in a video on Instagram after a clip showing the moment was widely shared.

The pair said they were “just messing around in the Clauditorium on Saturday night and just want to say sorry. It was a silly joke”.

A caption alongside their video explained that “high 5’s is a running joke”, after another moment on Saturday night appeared to show Jones not wanting to high-five her celebrity partner.

Posting to Instagram on Sunday, Jones said in a video clip: “Happy Sunday everyone.

“Now, I need to make something crystal clear. The hand incident that happened on Saturday night was an inside – a very silly, very silly – inside joke between Wynne and I.

“So even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended me in any way is complete nonsense.

“It’s quite absurd actually. Now, can we just focus on how brilliantly he’s doing and what an amazing dancer he’s becoming?”.

The couple made it through to next week’s live show after scoring 34 from the judges for their tango to Abba’s Money, Money, Money on Saturday – their highest score of the series so far.

A Strictly source told the PA News agency: “Wynne and Katya have confirmed that their interactions in the Clauditorium were silly jokes they had planned together and have apologised to anyone who may have misinterpreted them.

“They addressed them on Wynne’s Instagram, where their apology can be found.

“Katya would like to clarify further that she was not offended by Wynne and was not made to feel uncomfortable in the least.

“The welfare team have checked in on the pair and there are no further actions planned.”

In a social media post on Sunday, Jones said she and Evans were excited for their next dance.

“Another week of dancing !!! thank you!”, she said.

“Thank you so much for your kind support everyone!

“We are so excited for the next dance. Every day Wynne makes me smile and laugh, but every Saturday he leaves me absolutely speechless when he takes the dance to another level !

“It is soo impressive and I can’t wait to create another number for you to perform! Week 5!!! Whoop whoop!!”

Strictly returned in September this year for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities and some changes, including the presence of chaperones during rehearsals.

The chaperones followed a review launched by the corporation after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington made complaints about her 2023 Strictly professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

The BBC last month apologised to Abbington, saying in a statement: “We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.

“We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.”

Outlining the show’s new duty of care measures in September, the BBC said: “In July we introduced new measures for training and rehearsals, which are in place for this year’s show.

“These included a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times; two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer (both started work in August); and additional training for the professional dancers, production team and crew”.