Surrounded by spectacular views of Bali’s verdant rice terraces, Neil Jones is dancing on air –and there’s not just one, but two special reasons why. The Strictly Come Dancing professional is thrilled to announce, exclusively with HELLO!, that not only is he engaged to Chyna Mills, his girlfriend of seven months, but the couple are also expecting their first child this autumn.
"After the baby news, we were on cloud nine – and now this. It still doesn't feel real," says model and content creator Chyna, 24, who is 13 weeks pregnant, as the couple share these precious photos of the moment Neil went down on one knee.
How did Neil Jones propose?
"I'd already planned to ask Chyna to marry me before we knew she was pregnant. Then we found out and I was like: 'Oh, this is brilliant, everything is coming together,'" says Neil, 40, who had been secretly planning his holiday proposal while on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour earlier this year.
© Koming Darmawan / @koming.darmawanPhotography: Koming Darmawan / @koming.darmawan
Opening up about the surprise proposal, Chyna says: "At first, I thought he was joking because we play jokes on each other all the time," Chyna says. "Then Neil was like: 'Chyna, so is it a "yes" or "no"?' because a few minutes had passed and he was still on one knee. I was like: 'Yeah!'"
The former British, European and world champion succeeded in keeping his plans under wraps – but he did confide in TV presenter and Strictly tour co-star Tyler West, who was among the first to know when the couple shared their happy news with family and friends.
"We FaceTimed him, then said: 'We just sent you something on WhatsApp' – it was a picture of the baby scan. He looked and said: 'I'm going to cry, this is everything... I'm gonna be that crazy Jamaican uncle.' It was the best reaction," Neil says.
© Koming Darmawan / @koming.darmawanPhotography: Koming Darmawan / @koming.darmawan
The parents-to-be met last summer after Chyna caught Neil's eye during her time on ITV2's Love Island, which he enjoyed watching on the tour bus with former Strictly contestant Rhys Stephenson and fellow professional Jowita Przystal, while on the Strictly Presents: Keeeep Dancing! tour.
Neil Jones and Chyna Mills' love story:
After Chyna – who worked as a youth support worker before her stint on Love Island – left the show in July, Neil messaged her on Instagram, and the pair met in real life for the first time when they attended the same party.
When it comes to tying the knot, the couple want to wait until a very special guest can accompany them up the aisle. "We thought it would be cute if the baby can be walking around at the wedding," says Neil, with the air of one very excited father – and groom – to be.
Photography: Koming Darmawan, Instagram: @koming.darmawan
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