Strictly fans have been left baffled after catching Neil Jones pulling a ‘disgusted’ face at Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu during Saturday’s show.
The professional dancer – who does not have a celebrity partner this year – was watching on from the Clauditorium as actress Jaime, 41, and partner Carlos, 33, performed a Foxtrot to Man I Need by Olivia Dean.
After jointly topping the leaderboard last week, Jaime and Carlos were determined to impress the judges again and while Anton Du Beke praised it as ‘a lovely proper foxtrot’, the judges’ feedback was a far cry from last week’s.
Craig Revel Horwood noticed a ‘little misstep’ and a ‘misjudged turn’, while Shirley Ballas also observed ‘a few mistakes’. Their total score was 25 points.
And it seems Neil was also unimpressed by their efforts, pulling a face as the pair finished their performance and ran over to receive the judges’ comments.
Viewers were quick to notice, taking to X/Twitter to question: ‘sorry Neil have you got a problem with Jaime Winstone’s dance pal?’; ‘Why did Neil look disgusted’.
Strictly fans have been left baffled after catching Neil Jones pulling a ‘disgusted’ face at Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu during Saturday’s show
The professional dancer – who does not have a celebrity partner this year – was watching on from the Clauditorium as actress Jaime, 41, and partner Carlos, 33, performed a Foxtrot
Another viewer claimed Neil had seemed off all night, as they tweeted: ‘What on earth happened backstage before going live? Because everyone’s making mistakes and every time they cut to Neil he looks livid #StrictlyComeDancing.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Neil’s representatives for comment.
Neil is Strictly’s most snubbed dancer, being passed up for a celebrity partners seven out of the 10 years he’s been on the show.
He was last paired with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024, where they lasted only two weeks before being eliminated.
During Saturday’s show, Neil referenced his lack of partners over the years as he appeared in a skit with hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.
While discussing Anton Du Beke inviting Cach Mercer to join the ‘ballroom boy club’ after his impressive Foxtrot, Josh said he was angling for an invite.
Emma then reasoned: ‘give it a little bit of time, we’re new here, it will happen eventually…’ before Neil interrupted to quip: ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that Joshie, trust me I’ve been waiting years!’
Yet the joke didn’t land with viewers, who tweeted: ‘Is Neil Jones literally only there as the punchline now?’; ‘Blooming Neil Jones AGAIN please let it stop – he gets his face to the front enough anyway’;
‘Neil Jones must be on overtime tonight’; ‘Neil Jones has definitely complained to HR this week #Strictly’; ‘How does that Neil always get himself so much airtime ☹️’.
Viewers were quick to notice, taking to X/Twitter to question the reaction, while one viewer claimed Neil had seemed off all night
During Saturday’s show, Neil referenced his lack of partners over the years as he appeared in a skit with hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe
The joke didn’t land with some viewers, who claimed he was receieving too much airtime, yet others expressed their sympathy over his lack of partners over the years
Others welcomed seeing more of Neil, tweeting: ‘Everyone moaning at Neil being at the front and having talking parts…. he’s got to do bloody something since they haven’t given him a partner in yonks. Give him a break! #Strictly’;
‘Hear me out. So Neil Jones can get some decent #Strictly air time, can one of the judges have a week off and Neil goes on the panel? Or if god forbid a judge is ill, put Neil on the panel as a replacement! Surely, I’m not the only one who feels sorry for Neil Jones!’
Neil joined the show in 2016 and three years later he received his first celebrity partner – being teamed up with Lioness Alex Scott.
The couple did well, reaching the quarter finals, but Neil was benched again for two more years.
In 2021 he was partnered with EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, but the pair were the first to be eliminated.
After being benched again, he was paired with singer Toyah two years ago, and they were the second pair to be eliminated.
Strictly returns for the results show on Sunday at 7.10pm on BBC One
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
LACEY TURNER
AGE: 38
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’
DELTA GOODREM
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’
CACH MERCER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 48
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’
BETHANY ANTONIA
AGE: 28
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’
GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL
AGE: 59
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’
TABBY STOECKER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’
MELANIE WALTERS
AGE: 64
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’
DANI DYER
AGE: 30
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’
CHRIS APPLETON
AGE: 43
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’
WILL BEST
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’
JAIME WINSTONE
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
AGE: 44
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’
LAWRENCE ROBB
AGE: 34
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’
JOHN NELLIS
AGE: 33
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’
