Strictly’s Katya Jones clarifies what she really said about Lawrence Robb after comment caught on camera

Katya Jones has revealed what she actually said about Lawrence Robb on Strictly Come Dancing during the live broadcast.

The Emmerdale actor made his Strictly debut on Saturday (26 September), hitting the dance floor for the first time with Jowita Przystal.

While Robb earned a respectable 20 points from the judges with his paso doble, all eyes were on Jones who appeared to give a one-word verdict on his dance.

As the camera panned up to Jones, who was watching with her fellow professional dancers and celebrities from upstairs, the dancer seemed to turn to Aleksandra Isaeva and mouth the word: “Fit.”

The moment went viral on the weekend, and on Tuesday (29 September), even her 2016 Strictly partner Ed Balls told Good Morning Britain viewers that he also thought she said “fit”.

“Knowing Katya, I think she probably said fit,” said the broadcaster and former politician.

Jones has since clarified her comment, however, personally telling Balls what she actually said about Robb on stage – who then passed her message on to GMB viewers.

Analysing the clip once again on Wednesday’s episode (30 September), Balls said: “Well, I said yesterday it was pretty clear she said, ‘he’s fit’ – and actually, in my heart of hearts, I still kinda think that!

“But she sent me a WhatsApp: ‘I said fierce!’”

A screenshot of the dancer’s message, accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji, was then shown-on screen for viewers to see.

Jones is riding high after last weekend’s first live show, during which she topped the leaderboard with her partner, the social media star John Nellis, emerging as the one to watch this season.

Their foxtrot to “Ordinary” by Alex Warren earned the duo 31 points out of 40, with the judges visibly moved by their performance. Anton Du Beke admitted that he was “stunned” by the routine while Shirley Ballas called it the “best dance of the night”.

The first live show of the season proved to be testing for the new hosting trio, with Josh Widdicombe told to tone down his comedic impulses by fans.

“Whether he was talking over Willis (this happened a lot), clapping back at Shirley Ballas or trying to cover up Will Best’s nipples, Widdicombe was constantly ‘yes and’-ing,” wrote The Independent’s Isobel Lewis in a three-star review. “This gag-at-all-costs attitude works for comedy or even solo presenting, but in a group, it felt awkward and stilted.”

Strictly continues on Saturday on BBC One at 6.15pm.