Wynne Evans, Katya’s vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what’s REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

As I delve into the captivating journey of Katya Sokolova, a woman who embodies resilience and authenticity, I am struck by her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to herself. Her tale is not merely about dance steps or television appearances; it’s about navigating the complexities of public life while staying true to one’s morals and values.


Six years ago on an autumnal October night, Katya Jones found herself right in the heart of the “Strictly Come Dancing” controversy, which became known as the “Strictly curse”.

Following their training session, she and her dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, were spotted by photographers locking lips in a hidden passageway. It turned out that she was married to fellow Strictly dancer Neil Jones, who also worked on BBC’s show, while Walsh was involved in a long-term relationship.

A short while afterwards, those photos were purchased by a tabloid news outlet for approximately £20,000. For Katya, the events that followed their release were unbearable anguish. She was relentlessly harassed on social media, portrayed as an adulteress who had attempted to seduce another woman’s partner.

Initially, both Katya and Seann apologized, but they were removed from the show a week afterward. To this day, Katya remains deeply affected by the incident – it ultimately led to her separation from her husband Neil – and she rarely discusses it. In interviews, there’s an absolute prohibition on mentioning Seann or that kiss.

In my own words, I’d say: “I’ve made every effort to expunge that part of my past,” I confess, for I find it unbearable.

Ever since then, Katya, aged 35, has committed herself that her career with Strictly would solely revolve around dance. In simpler terms, she decided to focus on dancing without any distractions.

In my perspective, when I was teamed up with the plump Welsh radio host and opera singer Wynne Evans, aged 52, who is widely recognized as the face of the Go Compare commercials, I might have wished that this year’s Strictly, marking my 14th series, would proceed without any drama or controversy.

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

According to a source familiar with the situation, if Katya is paired with an attractive partner, there’s a good chance the “Strictly Curse” will resurface once more. The pairing was seen as fitting the narrative of Katya being involved with a taken man, and it aligns perfectly with the infamous “Strictly Curse.

However, it’s clear that Katya’s primary passion on Strictly Come Dancing lies in dancing herself. She approaches this with great seriousness, viewing it not just as a hobby but an integral part of who she is. Furthermore, Katya takes immense pride in instructing her dance partners and prefers to let her teaching skills shine without explicit declaration.

On Saturday night, Katya’s attempt to avoid drama seemed unsuccessful as spectators noticed an unusual exchange with Wynne. They had recently performed a captivating tango to Abba’s “Money, Money, Money,” earning them a commendable 34 out of 40 points.

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

Standing in awe just behind the radiant Katya, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as their smiles graced the cameras. In an instant, my hand slipped across her waist, only for her to swiftly swat it away, a gentle reminder of boundaries, even amidst the thrill.

Later, Katya appeared to snub Wynne’s attempt at a high-five, turning away from him.

The videos rapidly gained popularity, igniting numerous conversations across social media platforms. One enthusiast queried, “Did anyone else notice Katya pushing Wynne’s hand away?” Another spectator commented, “I just watched the video of Wynne and it seems clear that Katya was uneasy.

Straightaway, Katya swiftly came to Wynne’s aid. In several posts spread over various social media platforms, the duo declared that the wandering hand incident was a simple joke. This explanation was reiterated during their Monday night appearance on It Takes Two, where they appeared noticeably emotional.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve taken another look at the footage in question, and I must admit that I can understand how others might have misunderstood it.

She stated, “It’s absurd and unfounded to think that this representation makes me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way. In reality, this depiction is completely different from who this man truly is.

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

Let me clarify unequivocally that the entire situation was merely a private joke shared between Wynne and myself. Admittedly, it might have seemed rather silly or inappropriate to some.

Instead of waiting for the storm to blow over, it was a mutual choice between Katya and Wynne to stand their ground and face challenges head-on, knowing this might escalate media scrutiny.

Why exactly did Katya choose to take a more aggressive stance instead? It was Wynne, after all, who seemed to have taken an action considered inappropriate.

According to a reliable source from Strictly Come Dancing, Katya seems to be quite fond of Wynne. She’s relocated to Wales to accommodate his schedule and has been spending significant time with his family. Remarkably, he’s also assisting her in finding a new partner because, despite her extraordinary beauty, she’s mostly been single since parting ways with Neil.

In my personal experience, I’ve been savoring shared evenings with a special someone. Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting their children and their significant other during a lovely dinner at their home.

‘But what she is so super proud of are their routines and how she has taught Wynne to dance.

She undeniably excels as the finest choreographer on Strictly, and this aspect of the show is what she cherishes the most.

‘For that to be affected by anything on the show is devastating for her.’

According to reports, members of the Strictly production team at the BBC are allegedly upset because they believe the latest episode came at an inopportune time following the controversy involving Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington. This incident has cast a shadow over the current 20th anniversary series, leaving them feeling it was an unnecessary addition to their already challenging situation.

They had hoped that this year it would all go off without a hitch, a true celebration of dancing.

Despite Katya not being in the wrong, the corporation didn’t refute allegations that both Katya and Wynne received a reprimand for the incident.

Despite this, the BBC made sure their welfare team verified everything was fine with both individuals by checking in with each of them separately. Additionally, researchers working in the training room have been diligently recording details about the rehearsals between every famous duo, including Wynne and Katya.

Last night, some eyebrows were raised when Katya and Wynne independently hired a crisis PR firm, sparking speculation that they might not be in agreement with the BBC on certain issues.

It’s been communicated to me that Katya feels disappointed because the show is getting overshadowed by recent events. However, she’s consistently emphasized that she tries her best to disregard criticisms when possible.

Two years past, during my interview with Katya, it was forbidden to delve into the matter of the Seann incident. However, she shared that she had made significant efforts to block out the surrounding disturbances.

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

She shared with me: “On my first day at Strictly, I made a personal vow never to alter who I am or worry too much about others’ opinions. I’ve committed to being true to myself, and I’ve kept that promise.

‘The main factor enabling me to perform my duties, maintain my personal identity under public scrutiny, and foster friendships is this very aspect. I uphold my moral values consistently, and I believe this trait shines through for those who truly know me.’

Ekaterina Andreevna Sokolova, often called the Russian siren on Strictly, entered the show in 2016 and soon gained popularity, especially among male fans. However, her journey on Strictly wasn’t smooth. Since her debut, Katya’s dance partnerships have generated a lot of attention. Her first dance partner was Ed Balls, the former education secretary, who became famous for his clumsy moves. Despite this, they won over viewers, and Katya built a reputation as a diligent instructor.

In her subsequent partnership, she achieved even greater success. However, following her win in the 2017 series alongside Holby City actor Joe McFadden, Katya became embroiled in a scandal involving Seann Walsh.

Wynne Evans, Katya's vow and the moment that will haunt her for ever: KATIE HIND reveals what's REALLY going on between Strictly pair after that handsy moment

Despite this, Katya was assigned an innovative role by the BBC in 2020, making her the first professional dancer to partner with another woman, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams. The BBC held great expectations for their performance, but their performance ended prematurely in Week 3 due to Katya testing positive for Covid-19, resulting in their early exit from the competition.

After that, it was Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty who made an appearance. Charming, muscular, and a national crush, the fact that he partnered with her sparked quite a buzz as some speculated about Katya dancing with another handsome man. And guess what? In Week 4, many were shocked when they seemed to share a near-kiss during their steamy Argentine tango on live broadcast – all while his girlfriend was watching!

In 2022, it was Tony Adams’ turn (who is a former England and Arsenal footballer) to dance in the Strictly Come Dancing competition. However, Tony himself acknowledged that he wasn’t much of a ballroom dancer, and despite Katya’s dedicated attempts, he found it challenging to master his routines.

In Week 7, an argument seemed to erupt between friends Tony and Katya during their live TV performance. This was due to Tony’s mistake in their salsa dance routine which landed them at the bottom of the leaderboard. Feeling criticized, Tony accused Katya of being too harsh. A week later, an injury to Tony’s hamstring caused him to withdraw from the show.

Last year, Katya unexpectedly became involved in another disagreement when teamed up with actor Nigel Harman. After their performance in Blackpool, which carried significant weight, Nigel allegedly had a heated argument with his wife, Lucy Liemann, that was visible to the audience. The spectators were taken aback by this incident. Later on, Katya was observed consoling her partner. However, in Week 11, Nigel decided to leave due to an injury to his rib.

Returning to Katya and Wynne, the BBC intends for their performance of the quickstep to Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra in this weekend’s show to proceed as scheduled. However, there are concerns among the production team that this might be pushing things too far for Katya.

As a devoted follower, I can share that she’s experienced quite a lot, and whenever a new ordeal arises, it seems to rekindle memories of the Seann incident, which continues to cast a shadow over her.

As a die-hard admirer, I’d say, “I’ve always known Katya to be resilient and relentless. She’s faced challenges that surpass the complexity of the Wynne incident. All I can do is hope that this storm passes quickly for her.

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2024-10-16 04:26

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