Katya Jones to be the next head judge of Battle of the Ballroom

DSI London is absolutely thrilled to announce that former World Latin Champion Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones is to be our new head judge when the Battle of the Ballroom returns on 17th March.

This fantastic event will offer amazing prizes worth £1,500 and will be filmed LIVE by DSI TV, with online voting for the audience and viewers at home, plus new categories for competitors.

World Latin Champion Katya was born in St Petersburg, Russia and started dancing at the young age of six. She is an undefeated multiple British National and three-time World Champion, as well as World Latin Show Dance Champion.

Currently Katya appears on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. In her first Strictly season, she partnered politician Ed Balls. The enormously popular pair reached Week 10 of the competition and were nominated for a “Must See TV Moment” BAFTA for their Gangnam Style routine. In 2017, Katya partnered actor Joe McFadden and they were crowned that year’s Strictly champions.

“I’m really excited to be on the other side of the competition this time and to be judging the Battle of the Ballroom,” says Katya. “It sounds so exciting, but I’m going to be fair and strict, as I’ll be looking for some great dancing! May the best couple win!”

The Battle of the Ballroom is a revolutionary, exciting and utterly engaging new concept, which debuted last year at Ipswich Dance Festival. The concept was created by DSI London’s Gerald Schwanzer and Emma Hawley, owner of Ipswich School of Dancing.

For more on this year’s Battle of the Ballroom, click here and to catch Katya Jones in action in Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream at Sadler’s Wells, London, from 20th to 22nd June, click here.