Neil Jones has defended Toyah Willcox after they were saved in the first Strictly Come Dancing elimination of the 2024 season. The 42-year-old dance professional is paired with music icon Toyah, 66, for the 22nd season of Strictly - which has been airing in the wake of toxic work environment claims and with ratings declining. Sunday night saw the first elimination of the season and Niel and Toyah found themselves in the dance off against Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, 24, and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, 35.
The judges opted to save Neil and Toyah after both couples danced again - meaning it was the end of the road for Rom and Nadiyah. Some viewers were frustrated that the swimming sensation and his professional dance partner were voted out - but Neil has come out swinging in support of his Thunder in the Mountains singing partner. Taking to social media after the results show on Sunday, Neil shared snaps of himself and Toyah on the dancefloor, and wrote: “Ladies and Gentlemen when you ask me how my Saturday night went.
" Standing up for his celebrity co-star, he added: "I just want to say it’s week 2 @toyahofficial is not a dancer but every day she’s improving, each day I tell Toyah, it might not be perfect but you are improving and at the same time you are not losing who you really are and that is what @bbcstrictly is all about." He concluded: "You bring so much joy in our lives and I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to teach and guide you so we can both enterta.
