STRICTLY'S NEIL JONES 'DROPPED AS A COMPETITOR'

Reports: Strictly pro dancer Neil Jones will not be partnered with a celebrity this year and will instead only take part in the group numbers.

A source told the Daily Star On Sunday : "After a lot of discussion it was decided that Neil will be dropped from the line-up of professional dancers, so he won’t be partnered with a contestant. He will still be part of the show, but only in group ­routines. So viewers won’t see much of him any more."

Strictly Come Dancing returns next month on BBC One.