Katya Jones joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and has experienced many highs and lows during the time, including lifting the Glitterball in 2017.
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However, the Russian pro was forced to address her future on the show following media reports that she was planning to quit the show, allegedly because she feared that the public didn't like her. She also shared a front page from The Sun which claimed that she'd had a "backstage meltdown" following her elimination from the show at the weekend.
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In a lengthy post, the dancer refuted these allegations and wrote: "It's a shame it has come to this but I feel forced into publicly defending myself after weeks of being bashed by a particular newspaper."
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She said that the publication had approached her for exclusive content in the past, but that she had always "politely declined" but now they were printing "lies about me". She added that she felt there were more important stories that should make the front page.
The 32-year-old continued: "Good job I'm a tough cookie because these toxic lies are a lot for one person to take and can have consequences.
"I am a professional dancer on a TV show doing my job which I care passionately about. I'm not quitting, I've not had a tantrum. I love the show and I shall keep dancing, lots of love."
Katya found herself addressing certain media reports
Her post was immediately met with a lot of support, including from her Strictly co-stars Dianne Buswell and Johannes Radebe with Dianne commenting with a heart emoji and Johannes saying: "We love you."
Former judge Arlene Phillips said: "Katya. Love you, know what you are made of, you are strong," and a third fan commented: "Such a classy statement you shouldn't have had to make. I think you're brilliant. KEEEEEP DANCING."
Katya was sadly eliminated from Strictly last week after she and partner Adam Peaty failed to impress with their Jive.
Taking to Instagram a short time after their elimination, the dancer posted a video reel of the couple's time together and simply wrote: "Thank you for the fun! #teampeachy #strictlycomedancing #strictly."
© Photo: BBCKatya and Adam were the latest couple to leave Strictly
Olympic swimmer Adam, meanwhile, shared a lengthy message with his fans along with a series of snapshots showing him and Katya together. "What an experience @bbcstrictly has been," he wrote.
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"I'm so grateful for my time on this show, from the highs of performing in front of millions and the extreme challenge of learning a new routine within 3 days every week, it's been incredible.
"I didn't know how much it meant to me until I got a bit emotional after my dance off; however, I don't think it was the dancing that pushed me over the edge, but the two years of the constant challenge with myself combined with the energy to win the Olympics and becoming a father at the same time."
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