Strictly star ‘honoured’ to play vital role at Neil Jones’ wedding after family ban

After his own family was ‘banned’ from his wedding, Neil Jones enlisted two other Strictly Come Dancing stars to play important roles.

The professional dancer, 44, married former Love Island star Chyna Mills, 27, in an intimate ceremony at London’s Marylebone Town Hall on July 1.

Accompanied by their adorable daughter, Havana, the bride and groom were all smiles as they tied the knot, four years after getting together.

There was a cloud looming over their special day, though, as Neil’s parents were noticeably absent after Chyna accused Neil’s mother of ‘bullying, racism, and disrespect’ last year.

It’s said that Neil did not even tell mum Helen or sister Terri when or where the wedding was happening.

Still, that didn’t stop them from celebrating in style, choosing former contestants and engaged couple Tyler West and Molly Rainford to be their witnesses.

Taking to Instagram with snaps of their nuptials, Chyna posed with her new husband and witnesses as they signed on the dotted line, writing in her caption: ‘Forever grateful 🤍’

Commenting underneath, EastEnders actress Molly said, ‘Was an honour to be your witness Family 🤍’,with Chyna replying, ‘Thank you 🤍 love you guys 🥹’

Presenter Tyler, 30, and singer Molly, 25, met on the 2022 series of Strictly, and the following year, they confirmed they were dating. The radio DJ then popped the question last August, and planning for another Strictly wedding is now in full swing.

Also present on the day were pro dancers such as Lauren Oakley, who shared snaps of Chyna in her stunning Bardot white gown on her Story.

The newlyweds were inundated with congratulatory messages from co-stars, too, with the likes of Shirley Ballas, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, and Fleur East commenting on the ‘beautiful’ pics.

So, despite the absence of Neil’s immediate fam, he and Chyna were still showered with plenty of love.

It’s claimed that the Jones family was forbidden from attending the wedding after being ‘cut out’ and ‘blocked’ by Neil and Chyna online.

A source told The Sun that ‘the whole thing is a massive shame’, adding that Neil’s ‘close and extended family were all there when he married his first wife, Katya Jones’, in 2013; they divorced in 2019.

‘It makes it even more painful that they have now been cut out completely. Most of them have been blocked by Chyna and Neil, so really have no idea what is going on in their lives at all, let alone about their wedding,’ said the insider.

‘Everyone feels like Chyna could have shared her concerns in a different way, but instead it’s turned into a public matter, and the whole family have been tarred with the same brush.’

Still, it’s said the family hoped the wedding ‘went well’.

In her original statement, Chyna explained that she’d decided ‘enough was enough’ after facing ‘bullying’ from Neil’s mother ‘from the moment [she] met her’.

She wrote on Instagram that Helen ‘ignored’ her when she offered her the chance to discuss her ‘one-sided issue’, but the ‘final straw’ was when they ‘ruined’ Havana’s baptism by choosing not to go.

Chyna added: ‘Havana’s baptism was a special day, and his family chose not to attend out of loyalty to her and refused to acknowledge what’s unfolded over the past few years. That’s on them. But I won’t accept negative comments or false narratives about my baby girl’s special moments.’

Defending her mother, Terri later accused Chyna of lying, telling the Daily Mail that ‘the truth will come out eventually’.

Neil and Chyna have continued with their lives since the news of the feud arose and are even planning to fly to Italy for a second round of wedding celebrations this month, following their legal marriage in the UK.

The choreographer, who has been part of Strictly for 10 years, popped the question on holiday in Bali in 2022, and they welcomed their daughter in October 2023.

Havana’s name was inspired by the city in Cuba, with Neil telling Hello! after the birth: ‘Cuba is the home of dance and very multicultural, so it was perfect – it sums us up.’

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