STRICTLY star Neil Jones has yet to be told whether or not he will be partnered with a celebrity for the next series of the hit BBC One show.
Neil, who is expecting his first child, a baby girl, with his Love Island star fiancee Chyna Mills, has only ever been partnered with two celebrities despite joining the show seven years ago.
The hunk came fifth with footballer Alex Scott in 2019 but was part of the first couple to be eliminated when he was paired with EastEnders legend Nina Wadia two years later.
Neil, 41, was overheard gushing about his fiancee and said he couldn’t be more excited about becoming a dad as he attended a special Mayhew charity event in London last night to help find homes for unwanted cats and dogs.
The event, which marked the launch of a special photography exhibition, was also attended by glamorous couple, actress Jess Impiazzi, 34, and her boyfriend, ex-footballer and TalkSport commentator Jermaine Pennant, 40, TOWIE legend Bobby Norris, 36, and glamorous TV presenter Hayley Palmer, 42.
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Leading animal charity Mayhew joined forces with Burns Pet Nutrition, with the striking animal portraits on display at the Romeo and Juliet café in Hampstead, north London.
A source told The Sun Online: “Neil was with his dog Zara who was so cute and tiny but very very loud. Everyone kept laughing because she didn’t stop yapping!
“Neil was brilliant, he has three dogs at home and will do anything to support a charity like the Mayhew. He was gushing about Chyna, and has been reading up on how to train the dogs around a new born baby.
“He’s so excited about becoming a dad. He doesn’t know whether or not he’ll be getting a partner for the next series of Strictly but he’s very much looking forward to being a part of the show again this year.”
In the first five months of this year, the number of requests animal charity Mayhew had received from people wanting to give up their dogs was up 54%, and cats 74%, compared to this time last year.
It’s a tricky time for pets as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
Burns Pet Nutrition partnered with Mayhew to celebrate its 30th anniversary and to showcase 10dogs, cats, puppies and kittens looking for new homes.
The striking images are available for purchase with the proceeds going to the charity.
John Burns MBE, founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome our guests to the opening of the photo exhibition last night.
It was a great event and hopefully, this exhibition helps to create more awareness that there are so many of our furry friends that need a loving home and to adopt and not shop for pets."
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Sherine Wheeler, Chief Executive at Mayhew, said: "The exhibition has been a delight – the portraits beautifully encapsulate the spirit of each featured dog and cat and underscore the importance of adopting rescue animals.
"We hope people will consider purchasing a portrait or donating to Mayhew and importantly, explore whether they can adopt or foster one of the dogs or cats in our care who is waiting for their second chance."
Readers can check out the charity by going to www.mayhew.org
