In a move that has sparked widespread speculation among fans of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, professional dancer Katya Jones has reportedly unfollowed her 2021 celebrity partner, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, on Instagram. The action comes weeks after Jones was notably absent from Peaty’s high-profile wedding to Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, in December 2025. While Jones continues to follow Peaty’s mother, Caroline Peaty—herself embroiled in a public family feud with her son—the apparent digital distancing has fueled rumors of a fallout between the former dance duo. Sources close to the situation suggest the “snub” from the guest list may have been the final straw in what was once a close post-show friendship.

The wedding, held on December 27, 2025, at the historic Bath Abbey with a reception at the exclusive Kin House in Wiltshire, was intended as a joyous union but instead became overshadowed by controversy. Peaty, 31, and Ramsay, 26, exchanged vows in front of a star-studded crowd that included Victoria Beckham, other Strictly alumni like Dan Walker and Sara Davies, and the entire Ramsay family. However, the event was marred by a bitter family dispute on Peaty’s side, leading to his mother Caroline being uninvited entirely and his father Mark Peaty receiving a last-minute offer to attend but only if he sat at the back of the venue. Only Peaty’s sister, Bethany, represented his immediate family, serving as one of Ramsay’s bridesmaids.

Caroline Peaty, 57, expressed her heartbreak in interviews, telling the Daily Mail, “Me going would just cause even more of a storm and I don’t want to ruin his wedding day. I wanted to be there quietly to watch him get married, but that can’t happen now.” The rift reportedly escalated after Caroline was excluded from Holly’s hen do at Soho Farmhouse in October 2025, an event attended by Tana Ramsay and Victoria Beckham. Sources indicate the family tensions stem from longstanding issues, with Caroline previously voicing concerns about her son’s relationship dynamics in public forums. Despite the acrimony, Peaty has embraced his new in-laws, adopting a double-barrelled surname on social media as Adam Peaty-Ramsay, signaling a shift in family allegiance.

Adding to the list of absences was Jones, 36, whose omission raised eyebrows given her history with Peaty. The pair were partnered on the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, where they impressed judges and audiences with their chemistry-laden routines. They finished in ninth place after being eliminated in week seven, following a dramatic Argentine tango that featured a near-kiss moment, sparking tabloid headlines. At the time, Peaty was in a relationship with Eirianedd Munro, the mother of his five-year-old son George, who reportedly felt “humiliated” by the on-screen intimacy. Munro later addressed the incident publicly, stating it contributed to trust issues in their relationship, which ended in August 2022.

Jones, a Russian-born dancer who joined Strictly in 2016, has had her own share of high-profile partnerships and personal challenges. She won the competition in 2017 with actor Joe McFadden and has danced with celebrities like Ed Balls, Nicola Adams, and Tony Adams. Her marriage to fellow pro Neil Jones ended in 2019 amid rumors linked to a kiss with her 2018 partner Seann Walsh, an incident that became known as the “Strictly curse.” Jones has since focused on her career, including choreography and fitness ventures, and maintains an active social media presence with over 200,000 followers. In the days following Peaty’s wedding, Jones returned to Instagram after a week-long break from “toxic” online interactions, posting about self-care and reading, without mentioning the nuptials.

Peaty’s journey to the altar with Ramsay has been a whirlwind. The swimmer, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in breaststroke events, met Ramsay in 2023 through her sister Tilly, who competed on Strictly the same year as Peaty. Their relationship went public in June 2023, with Peaty proposing in September 2025 during a romantic getaway. Ramsay, a model and influencer with over 500,000 Instagram followers, paid tribute to her family heritage at the wedding by wearing her mother Tana’s 1996 wedding dress for the reception—a V-neck, short-sleeved gown originally worn when Tana married Gordon Ramsay. The couple coordinated footwear, with Holly in white Amina Muaddi slingback heels and Tana in black. The Ramsay clan, including siblings Matilda, Megan, Jack, Oscar, and one-year-old Jesse, attended in full force, underscoring the strong family bonds on the bride’s side.

The wedding guest list, however, revealed further snubs beyond family and former dance partners. Reports indicate Peaty’s close friend and fellow swimmer Michael Gunning was uninvited in a move described as unexpected. Gunning, who came out as gay in 2018 and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in sports, had previously spoken warmly of his bond with Peaty. A source told the Mirror, “It was a shock; he never saw it coming.” This pattern of exclusions has led to speculation about Peaty’s efforts to curate a drama-free event, though it has instead amplified public scrutiny.

Social media has played a central role in the unfolding drama. Eagle-eyed fans first noticed Jones’s unfollow in early January 2026, prompting a flurry of posts on platforms like X and TikTok. Hashtags such as #StrictlySnub and #PeatyWeddingFeud trended, with users debating whether the move signals a genuine rift or mere social media housekeeping. One X post read, “Katya unfollowing Adam but keeping Caroline? That’s some next-level shade amid the family mess.” Jones has not commented publicly on the matter, maintaining her focus on upcoming Strictly tours and personal wellness content.

Peaty’s career achievements provide context to his personal life’s turbulence. Born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, in 1994, he rose to fame at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning gold in the 100m breaststroke and setting a world record. He defended his title in Tokyo 2020 and added another gold in Paris 2024, becoming the first swimmer to win three consecutive Olympic golds in the same event. Off the pool, Peaty has battled mental health issues, taking a break in 2023 to address depression and alcohol struggles. His relationship with Ramsay has been credited with aiding his recovery, with the couple often sharing affectionate posts online.

The “Strictly curse”—a tabloid term for romances or tensions arising from the show’s intense partnerships—looms over this story. Since its 2004 debut, Strictly has seen numerous relationships form and falter, from Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone to more recent pairings like Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg. Jones and Peaty’s 2021 stint was no exception, with their passionate performances drawing comparisons to past controversies. While no affair was confirmed, the near-kiss during their tango routine led to Munro’s public distress, contributing to the end of her three-year relationship with Peaty shortly after.

Ramsay’s background adds celebrity wattage to the union. As the third child of Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Holly has carved her own path in modeling and podcasting, hosting “21 & Over,” where she discusses mental health. The Ramsays’ tight-knit family contrasts sharply with Peaty’s fractured one, perhaps influencing the wedding dynamics. Gordon Ramsay, known for his fiery temperament on shows like Hell’s Kitchen, has been supportive of the match, posting congratulatory messages online.

As of January 14, 2026, neither Peaty nor Jones has addressed the unfollow publicly. Peaty’s representatives declined comment when approached by outlets, while Jones’s team emphasized her busy schedule with Strictly’s live tour, set to begin in Birmingham later this month. The incident fits into a broader 2025 trend of celebrity family feuds, from the Beckhams’ internal rifts to other high-profile disputes, reminding the public that fame doesn’t immunize against personal conflicts.

Speculation abounds on social media and in tabloids, with some suggesting Jones’s absence was due to scheduling conflicts or a deliberate choice to avoid drama. Others point to lingering tensions from the 2021 series. A source told The Sun, “Katya and Adam were close, but weddings can reveal true priorities.” Whether this marks the end of their friendship or a temporary chill remains unclear.

For Peaty, the focus shifts back to the pool as he prepares for future competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ramsay, meanwhile, continues her influencer career, recently collaborating with brands like PrettyLittleThing. Jones, a fixture on Strictly, is slated to return for the 2026 series, where new partnerships may bring fresh headlines.

This episode underscores the intersection of reality TV, sports, and celebrity culture, where on-screen bonds can fray under real-life pressures. As fans await any reconciliation, the unfollow serves as a digital marker of shifting alliances in the glittering world of showbiz.