THEY have been completing a busy rehearsal schedule in time for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, which is now underway on BBC1, but Neil and Katya Jones, who have appeared several times in the series, took time out last Sunday to welcome dancers to their Alton studio.

Bell House Studio attracted a healthy number of beginners and those wanting to improve their dancing to an open day run by the couple for all ages and levels, and this included a masterclass plus question-and-answer session.

Studio manager Jackie Fowler said “We offered free taster sessions and sent leaflets all around the town, and we had a lot of visitors.

“It was a very successful day and also a family-orientated one as we had mums and dads with their children taking part and dance workshops which everyone joined in, including one for hula hoop, which was fun.”

Katya, who this year will partner actor Joe McFadden, of Holby City and Heartbeat fame, put the children through their paces with a vigorous Gangnam Style performance, as well as holding a dance workshop.

Assisting Katya and Neil was studio dance instructor Vitor Lemons, who ran a children’s class before helping beginners or encouraging those returning to dance to venture out onto the floor again by gently showing them the first basic steps.

Following a photo session with their guests, Neil and Katya performed an exhibition jive which got well-deserved applause.

Katya will be jiving again on the television dance floor but this time with her actor partner, as it will be one of a sequence of dances the couples are asked to do through the series in a bid to score winning votes.

Russian-born Katya became headline news last year when she partnered former MP Ed Balls who, with her help, survived until the final few weeks, while Neil, as he is doing for this coming season, was both choreographer and one of the show’s professional dancers in the opening sequences.

Neil and Katya Jones are pictured with studio manager Jackie Fowler. Picture order no: AD39-46-17 (altonherald.com).