Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a worrying setback just days before the much-anticipated return of the BBC dance competition, with reports claiming professional dancers Katya Jones and her former husband Neil Jones were forced to miss part of rehearsals after suffering injuries.

The beloved show is preparing to return to television with a dramatically revamped format, a new presenting team and five new professional dancers joining the line-up.

But as rehearsals intensify ahead of the launch show, the reported injuries have raised concerns about whether every professional will be ready to take to the dancefloor when the new series begins.

According to reports, Katya and Neil were both forced to sit out part of recent rehearsals after suffering injuries around the same time.

The pair are understood to have subsequently returned to rehearsals, easing fears that their injuries could prevent them from taking part in the upcoming series.

The launch show is scheduled to be filmed as a pre-recorded programme and is due to air on Saturday, September 19, with viewers set to meet this year’s celebrity contestants and discover the professional partnerships in a new format.

Behind the scenes, however, the professionals have already been working at an intense pace as they prepare the elaborate group dances that will form part of the series.

A source told The Sun that the professional dancers have been “under the cosh” while filming the group numbers that will appear throughout the programme.

“The pro dancers are under the cosh for filming the group dances, which are played throughout the series, and have a hectic schedule,” the source said.

They added that Katya and Neil were injured at the same time, prompting concerns about whether they would recover quickly enough for the beginning of the series.

“Both Neil and Katya were injured at the same time and there were concerns they wouldn’t be able to recover in time for the series start in two weeks,” the source claimed.

The source also suggested that the pair were disappointed to miss some of the group dances because those performances provide valuable screen time for professional dancers who may not be paired with a celebrity.

“They were gutted to miss out on the group dances as it guarantees them screen time if they don’t get a partner, which Neil often doesn’t,” the source said.

The BBC declined to comment when approached about the reported injuries.

Wales Online, meanwhile, understands that Katya and Neil missed some dances but returned to the dancefloor on Friday, when the final pre-recorded group numbers were filmed.

The pair are also expected to feature in group dances throughout the series alongside their fellow professionals.

Further group numbers are due to be recorded in the coming weeks, following the format used in previous years.

The reports therefore appear to suggest that both dancers remain involved in the series, despite the temporary disruption to rehearsals.

Katya is one of Strictly’s most recognisable professional dancers, having become known for her performances, choreography and memorable partnerships during her time on the programme.

Neil, meanwhile, has also been a familiar face in the Strictly ballroom, although he has often found himself without a celebrity partner or with less time in the spotlight than some of the show’s other professional stars.

That makes the group routines particularly significant.

The professionals’ group performances allow the dancers to showcase their skills even when they are not competing directly with a celebrity, while also helping establish the atmosphere of each series.

For Katya and Neil, missing part of that filming was therefore reportedly frustrating, particularly with the new series approaching so quickly.

Their return to rehearsals will nevertheless come as a relief to fans who have been following the latest developments ahead of the show’s major relaunch.

This year’s Strictly is set to look very different from previous series.

After months of speculation, the BBC confirmed that longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would be leaving their presenting roles and would be replaced by a trio consisting of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

The decision represents one of the biggest changes in the show’s history.

Tess had been one of the defining faces of Strictly, while Claudia became equally synonymous with the programme through her distinctive presenting style and long-running partnership with Tess.

Replacing the pair was therefore always going to be a major challenge.

Emma Willis acknowledged the scale of the task when the new presenting line-up was announced.

“It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly – I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend,” she said.

She also admitted that the new presenters would have an enormous legacy to live up to.

“It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind – two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long,” Emma said.

Rather than attempting to imitate her predecessors, Emma said she hoped the new team could help guide the programme into its next chapter.

“I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter,” she added.

She also looked ahead to spending the weekends alongside Josh, Johannes, the professional dancers and the judging panel.

“I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”

Johannes, who has already established himself as one of Strictly’s most popular professional dancers, described his move into the presenting team as an opportunity he had never imagined.

“To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined,” he said.

He reflected on what the programme represents to its millions of viewers, describing it as a show built around joy, heart and togetherness.

“This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward,” Johannes said.

He also praised his new co-hosts.

“To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special,” he added.

His playful message to viewers reflected the mixture of excitement and nerves surrounding the new era.

“I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all…please bear with me. Love Jojo.”

Josh Widdicombe also admitted that the opportunity had left him both excited and slightly overwhelmed.

His most memorable Strictly experience came during the 2024 Christmas Special, when he performed a Charleston while dressed as a penguin.

“Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point,” Josh said.

He joked that he was therefore “giddy with excitement” at being given the chance to take on one of the biggest presenting jobs in British television.

“I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television,” he said.

Josh also made clear that he was looking forward to working alongside Emma and Johannes.

“I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them,” he added.

And in a nod to his previous Strictly appearance, he joked: “I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”

The presenting shake-up is not the only major change taking place this year.

Five new professional dancers are joining the Strictly line-up following a series of departures that generated considerable speculation among fans.

The new additions will join established professionals including Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell, creating a refreshed group of dancers for the new series.

The changes come after what has been described as a “bloodbath” behind the scenes, with several familiar professional faces departing the programme.

That means the returning professionals will be working alongside newcomers while also adapting to a new presenting team and changes to the show’s format.

The pressure on the dancers is particularly high during the run-up to the launch because of the sheer amount of choreography that has to be learned and filmed.

Group numbers require the professionals to work together closely, often involving complicated choreography, demanding lifts and rapid changes of formation.

With several performances being recorded before the live competition begins, rehearsals can become an intense period for everyone involved.

It is against that backdrop that Katya and Neil reportedly suffered their setbacks.

Although the details of their injuries have not been publicly disclosed, their reported return to the dancefloor suggests that they remain on course to take part.

Fans will now be watching closely when the new series begins to see which professionals are paired with celebrities and which dancers are primarily featured in the group routines.

For Neil in particular, those group performances could be especially important if he once again finds himself without a celebrity partner.

The upcoming launch is also expected to give viewers their first real taste of the new Strictly era.

The programme will have to balance its familiar ingredients — the glittering costumes, spectacular choreography, judges and professional dancers — with the changes that have been introduced behind the scenes.

And with Emma, Josh and Johannes taking over from Tess and Claudia, there will inevitably be comparisons with the show’s previous era.

For now, however, the focus remains firmly on getting everyone ready.

Katya and Neil are understood to have returned to rehearsals after missing some dances, and further group numbers are expected to be recorded in the weeks ahead.

That will give the pair an opportunity to put the reported setback behind them and concentrate on the performances they have spent weeks preparing.

With the launch show just around the corner, the Strictly ballroom is already buzzing with anticipation.

A new presenting trio is waiting to step into the spotlight, five new professionals are preparing to make their mark, and the returning dancers are facing another demanding season of training and performance.

The reported injuries may have caused a brief scare, but Katya and Neil’s return to the dancefloor will offer fans some reassurance.

Now, all eyes will be on the opening show to see whether the new-look Strictly can deliver the same magic — and whether the professionals, after weeks of intense rehearsals and major changes, are ready to make the ballroom their own once again.