Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has opened up about her hopes of starting a family, saying she still believes in finding love again after splitting from her husband Neil.
The dancer, 36, revealed how she remains 'ready and open' to meeting someone new and has not ruled out becoming a mother.
Inspired by her friend and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara - who welcomed daughter Lyra with fellow dancer Aljaz Škorjanec in 2021 - Katya admitted the idea of motherhood is never far from her mind.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'I would like to have kids with someone who I believe could be a good father but I've got nieces I can spend my energy on right now, or some of my friends' children, like Janette.
'Seeing how she does everything and is a mother as well is really inspiring. It just shows that you can do it all if you put your mind to it.'
Despite being active on dating apps, including celeb-favourite Raya, Katya admitted that she has not yet found the right match.
Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has opened up about her hopes of starting a family, saying she still believes in finding love again after splitting from her husband Neil
The dancer, 36, revealed how she remains 'ready and open' to meeting someone new and has not ruled out becoming a mother (pictured with her ex, fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones in 2019)
She suggested some men might feel uncertain about approaching independent women, saying: 'Us women have fought to be so independent and strong and do our own thing, that it might send confusing messaging to them, like, 'Can I approach or can I not?' So, I totally understand why they're being hesitant sometimes, but I'm open and ready to be approached.'
Katya also said that she hasn't given up hope in the possibility of meeting someone naturally, despite looking into other options such as egg freezing after speaking with friends who had gone through the process.
'I still have faith in meeting someone naturally. That would be lovely,' she said.
Her last serious relationship was with fellow Strictly dancer Neil Jones, whom she married in 2013 before they separated in 2019.
Their split followed the fallout from Katya being photographed kissing her 2018 dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, an incident she later described as 'a one-off mistake after drinks.'
Despite the drama that followed Katya remains on 'good terms' with Neil, admitting that you 'don't lose that connection overnight'.
The pair still work closely together on Strictly and even share responsibilities for their beloved dogs.
Neil is now a father to daughter Havana with his fiancée, Love Island star Chyna Mills.
Katya admitted the idea of motherhood is never far from her mind and despite being on dating apps, has not yet found the right match
Since then, Katya has largely kept her personal life out of the spotlight.
In 2023, she was briefly linked to property developer and ex-footballer William Abbotts, but the romance was short-lived.
That's not the first time Katya has made headlines during her time on the BBC primetime show.
In 2017, she lifted the famous Glitterball trophy when she won the series with Holby City actor Joe McFadden.
Three years later, she then made history when she was partnered with boxer Nicola Adams, as the first same-sex couple to ever compete in the show.
And last year, a 'private joke' with her opera singer partner Wynne Evans backfired, when during one live episode, Wynne appeared to move his hand along the Russian dancer's waist, before she pushed it off.
Neil is now a father to daughter Havana with his fiancée, Love Island star Chyna Mills (pictured), but Katya said she and her ex-husband are still on good terms
The pair also seemed to have a frosty moment when Katya looked to reject Wynne's high five attempt, causing viewers at home to comment about the awkward moments.
As she gears up for her tenth series on Strictly, ready to take on whatever dance partner she's matched with, Katya said she is in the best shape of her life and can now even do the splits.
She works as a pro, choreographer, and most recently a judge on Dancing With The Stars Belgium.
Katya began dancing at six and trained in both ballroom and Latin.
