Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones is finally speaking out about the gay rumors that have been following him for over a year.
After 18 months of keeping tight-lipped on the matter, the professional dancer has responded to flippant remarks made by comedian Seann Walsh after Walsh was spotted kissing Jone’s then-wife Katya Jones.
A little backstory: Paparazzi photos of the two began circulating online in December 2018. (At the time, Seann and Katya were partnered together on Strictly.) After it became clear they were having an affair, Seann made the situation worse by saying, “I’m the guy who kissed a gay man’s wife” during a charity event.
He later said he was joking, but by then the rumor mill had been kicked into high gear.
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Now, Neil is setting the record straight. Literally. Speaking to The Sun, the 38-year-old is officially squashing the rumors about his sexuality.
“In ballroom there’s a lot of straight guys,” he says, adding that his mother has always been disappointed that she didn’t give birth to a gay son.
“Mum was always like, ‘It’s a shame you’re not gay because we could go shopping together’. And I was thinking, ‘whether I’m gay or not there’s no chance, you take forever’.”
Neil and Katya announced they were splitting up just a few months after the photos of her and Walsh hit the internet.
“We wish one another every happiness and we will remain the best of friends,” the couple said in a statement last August. “We are really looking forward to getting back to the ballroom and can’t wait to keep on dancing. Lots of love from us both.”
We’re glad that’s been settled.
TomG
Sure, and straigh guys take bubble baths and post it. Not buying your story.
NeilIN72
Straight guys are a bit more relaxed and metrosexual in the UK than they are in the US…
alfred
He is clearly gay. The marriage was about helping his Russian dance partner getting a visa in the UK. This is a Ian Thorpe situation – deny the obvious and claim that he would be openly gay if he was as everyone assumes he is. Give him a couple of years and I’m sure his story will change.
Troysky
@alfred…. hope you are right ….I will say that his crappy tats like this guy’s are indicative of 80% of straight guys, imo. ….then there are bi guys 🙂
Donston
So, one guy tried to use “gay” as a way to either out a him or to insult him but then claimed it was a “joke”? And then he went the unnecessary “straight dudes are totally into ballroom dancing” route but didn’t actually confront the supposed rumors. They both look like cornballs to me. They both should have kept their mouths shut.
While I’m tired of people directly or indirectly suggesting that being “out” is mostly tied with family acceptance. Developing a comfort with being “out”, self-acceptance, love, preferred relationships, understanding the dimensions in your sexuality and orientation- these things are not always strictly about what your family thinks. There are many people who are a part of “accepting” families but still struggle with being “out”, or struggle with internalized homophobia/gay shame/homo shame/self-misandry, or struggle with their understand their dimensions. These supposed “straight” guys have got to stop being so basic.
Troysky
@Donston ….another few paragraphs from your book? 🙂 you’re a guy to definitely go have coffee with
Donston
I do amaze myself with how I’m able to get so much out of a few problematic sentences. But basic ass people and/or phrases get me going.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I know he is laying on a rock but there is something about that butt cheek that doesn’t look right.
Hdtex
And absolutely NO ONE CARES
Tombear
He has extremely bad taste in tatts! Are you sure he is gay?
justgeo
NOT hot not cute not good looking Why he got space here? Queens tell me!
balehead
Who?….