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Katie Wilson

Strictly's Katya Jones blasts Seann Walsh kiss scandal as he signs up to I'm A Celeb

Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has took aim at her kiss-gate scandal with Seann Walsh - as it was revealed he has been signed up to I’m A Celebrity.

Reflecting on the drama four years on, the professional dancer – who was caught locking lips with the comedian back in 2018 – claims she doesn’t care what people think.

During an appearance on The Lovejoy Hour podcast, the TV star said the moment “doesn’t define her” and “didn’t matter” to her anymore.

Katya, whose marriage to fellow dance pro Neil Jones has since ended, told host Tim Lovejoy she had “grown so much” in the years since she and Seann hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Directly addressing the now infamous smooch, she said: “Whatever is written or whatever people think, it doesn’t matter. I’m so disconnected from it.”

Seann hoped his Strictly appearance would boost his comedy career (BBC)
But the kiss scandal left his reputation in tatters (BBC/Guy Levy)

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The 33-year-old said “no one prepares you” for the press attention you get on Strictly – but she had found out how to deal with it “the hard way”.

She added: “I’ve grown so much from it and evolved so much that honestly now, it really doesn’t matter. I always say it doesn’t define me.”

Seann, who was in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries at the time of the kiss, fled to America after the scandal which left his career in tatters.

This year he finally made a return to comedy and has touched on what happened in a new show Seann Walsh: Kiss | Full Comedy Special.

Seann and Katya were pictured kissing outside a pub (Instagram)

Speaking about the moment his “life changed forever”, the 36-year-old said: “ "I left the wardrobe department and before I could order my first beer, my agent came over to and asked if he could have a word with me outside.

"I thought 'he is going to tell me I have got Michael McIntyre's Big Show! I had better act surprised!

"Turns out, I didn't have to act surprised. We went into the BBC carpark, my agent looked over his glasses and said 'about 20 minutes ago, they posted a photo of you kissing Katya outside a pub'.

"I was at that exact point that my life would turn upside down - the dream turned into a nightmare."

Seann was in a long-term relationship wth Rebecca Humphries at the time (Getty Images)
While Katya was married to fellow pro dancer Neil Jones (PA)

He earlier said on stage: "I was in a relationship, my dance partner Katya was married.

"After training we went for a drink, one thing lead to another and we were photographed kissing outside a pub.

"Awful, I know. It's awful - I'm sorry. I'm still sorry now.

Life has since moved on for Seann and as well as getting his career back on track, he is about to become a dad for the first time.

The comedian announced he is expecting a child with girlfriend with his dance teacher girlfriend Grace Adderley, 30.

Seann said 'everyone overreacted' to his kiss with Katya (BBC)

Although Seann has regularly joked about the impact of the incident during his live shows but has never delved into detail – no doubt I’m A Celeb producers are hoping he will do when it airs later this year.

A source told The Sun: "Seann is an incredible signing for I'm A Celebrity and it’s a real coup for ITV.

"His snog with Katya is the biggest scandal to have ever hit Strictly. People still talk about it.

"Life in the jungle is boring and those long hours around the campfire would be the perfect time for Seann to get talking. He can’t shy away from it either as he’s best known for that snog. It’s unlikely his campmates won’t bring it up."

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