Neil Jones – Biography, Partner Chyna Mills and Strictly Career

Neil Jones is a Welsh professional dancer, choreographer, and television personality best known as a long-standing professional on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. This biographic profile covers his career, his partner Chyna Mills, and the birth of their child. It answers key questions around his current status on the show.

Neil Jones: Biography, Career, and Background

Who Is Neil Jones? Biography and Dance Background

Neil Jones is a professional ballroom and Latin dancer who gained national prominence as a pro dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Despite being a familiar face to millions of viewers, his career path started long before the show, rooted in competitive dance.

Jones was born on August 2, 1982, in a British Army camp in Munster, Germany. He is of Welsh nationality and his family later returned to Wales. He began dancing at the age of three, training in ballet, tap, ballroom, and Latin American styles. His competitive career was exceptionally decorated; he held 45 championship titles, including four World Champion wins. He represented three different countries—Finland, the Netherlands, and Great Britain—during his amateur and professional career. For a comprehensive overview of his titles and timeline, you can visit Neil Jones’s Wikipedia page.

He became a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. His most successful partnership was in 2019, when he reached the quarter-finals with football pundit Alex Scott. He has also been partnered with celebrities including Nina Wadia and, most recently, Toyah Willcox in the 2024 series.

Is Neil Jones Still on Strictly Come Dancing?

As of the 2024 series, Neil Jones remains an active professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. In the 2024 (Series 22) lineup, he was paired with musician and actress Toyah Willcox. The pair were eliminated in Week 2, placing 14th overall. His continued presence on the show confirms that he is still part of the BBC’s main professional roster.

Prior to 2024, Jones had periods where he was not given a celebrity partner in certain series, often serving as a reserve or in group routines. However, his return with a partner in 2024 indicates ongoing involvement with the programme.

Neil Jones’s Partner: Chyna Mills

Neil Jones is currently in a relationship with Chyna Mills, a model and reality television personality. Mills is best known for her appearance on the ITV reality show Love Island in 2022. The couple began dating in 2022 and Neil publicly announced their engagement in April 2023.

Chyna Mills is a significant part of Neil Jones’s personal narrative. While he maintains a degree of privacy, he has occasionally shared images of Mills and their daughter on his personal Instagram account.

Neil Jones’s Wife and Child

As of now, Neil Jones is engaged to Chyna Mills—they are not yet married, though he announced his engagement in April 2023. The couple welcomed a daughter named Havana in October 2023.

Jones is therefore a parent for the first time. The child’s name, Havana, is not a stage name but the given first name of their daughter. This family update is one of the most notable recent changes in Jones’s personal life, following his separation from his former wife, fellow Strictly pro Katya Jones, in 2019.

Neil Jones’s Strictly Come Dancing Career

Jones joined the main professional lineup of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. Since then, he has performed with several celebrity partners:

• 2019 (Series 17): Partnered with footballer Alex Scott. Reached the quarter-finals, finishing 5th.
• 2021 (Series 19): Partnered with actress Nina Wadia. Eliminated early, finishing 15th.
• 2024 (Series 22): Partnered with musician Toyah Willcox. Eliminated in Week 3.

Jones has not yet won the series, but his partnership with Alex Scott showcased his choreographic skills. According to fan discussions online, he is especially admired for his technique in Latin styles, particularly the Jive and Charleston.

Is Neil Jones Welsh?

Yes, Neil Jones is Welsh. At the time of his birth, his family resided in Aberdare, Wales, though he was born in a German army camp. He often identifies as a Welsh dancer and has represented Wales in some professional events. However, he has also represented other nations internationally during his competitive career.

Neil Jones’s Career Timeline

1. 1982: Born in Munster, Germany, to a Welsh family.
2. 1989: Begins dancing at age 7.
3. Early 2000s: Builds a competitive career, winning numerous British, European, and world titles.
4. 2016: Joins Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer.
5. 2019: Reaches the quarter-finals with Alex Scott, his best result on the show.
6. 2023: Announces engagement to Chyna Mills and the birth of their daughter Havana.
7. 2024: Returns to Strictly with partner Toyah Willcox.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Neil Jones’s Career Highlights

Competitive Dance Achievements

Jones built an exceptional record as a competitive dancer, winning over 45 championship titles across various competitions. These include multiple British National, Dutch National, and World Championship victories. He competed in both amateur and professional categories and represented three nations. He is particularly known for his powerful, athletic Latin dancing, and he and his then-wife Katya Jones were undefeated British National Latin Champions for several years.

Strictly Come Dancing

Neil Jones joined the professional lineup of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. While he has not yet won the show, his choreography has been praised. He has also performed on Strictly tours and spin-offs. He is known for his strong, high-energy routines, particularly in the Jive and Charleston styles.

Neil Jones: Chyna Mills and Fatherhood

Neil Jones’s personal life has garnered significant public interest, especially after his separation from Katya Jones in 2019. He subsequently entered a relationship with model Chyna Mills, who appeared on the reality show Love Island in 2022.

In April 2023, Jones announced his engagement to Mills on social media. Later that year, in October 2023, the couple welcomed a daughter, Havana. This event reshaped public interest in Jones beyond his dancing career, especially regarding his role as a father.

Neil Jones’s Dance Background & Partnerships

Jones trained extensively in Latin and Ballroom, winning his first world title while still a junior. His most notable competitive partnership was with Katya Jones (née Virshilas). Together, they were undefeated British National Champions and World Latin Amateur Champions. Their partnership both on and off the dance floor ended in 2019, when they separated.

On Strictly Come Dancing, his journey has been one of moderate success but consistent presence. He is among the longest-serving male professionals, known for his technical rigor and dramatic choreography. He often features in professional group numbers and has participated in the show’s spin-offs.

Trusted Sources and Further Reading

For the most accurate and up-to-date biographical information, official sources provide the best reference:

“Neil Jones is a professional dancer on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. He has been a professional dancer on the show since 2016.”

— BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile

For his competitive career and personal life details, Neil Jones’s Wikipedia page provides a thorough summary of his titles and timeline.

His official BBC Strictly profile also confirms his professional standing and role on the show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neil Jones’s Next Steps

As of early 2025, Neil Jones is still an active member of the Strictly Come Dancing professional lineup. Beyond the show, he runs private dance classes and continues choreography projects. He is active on social media, sharing updates on his family life and professional dance work. For fans, his immediate future likely includes further involvement in Strictly series, alongside personal milestones as a new parent.