After welcoming a beautiful baby girl with his Love Island star fiancée Chyna Mills, Neil Jones has shared that being a dad is a 'whole new level' as he settles into fatherhood.
Chatting with OK!, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 41, appears to be taking the new chapter in his stride as he shared his family-orientated values and baby joy.
"I love kids and always have. I’ve got loads of nieces and nephews, but being a dad myself is a whole new level. It's brilliant and I’m really happy, I love life and I’ve always loved being around family," said Neil.
Neil first began dating Chyna, 24, who appeared on Love Island in August last year, just after she left the villa - with the dancer 'sliding into her DMs' before meeting her at an event.
Flash forward one year, and the smitten couple are engaged and brand new parents. But how has Chyna slipped into Neil's jam-packed lifestyle?
"When I was on tour with Strictly last time, Chyna would come and visit all the time. She hangs out with the other dancers and just immediately became part of the family, they all love her," Neil told us.
Sharing that he has converted her into a fan of the dancing competition, he added: "Chyna had never watched Strictly when we met, her family liked it but she wasn't a fan. She will kill me for saying that, but she's definitely coming around now. I'll catch her watching it and sometimes she'll even say if someone danced well, so I know she likes it."
The new series of Strictly kicked off just weeks ago, welcoming a new cohort of celebrities - including Bobby Brazier, Zara McDermott and Angela Rippon.
Neil wasn't partnered up with anyone this year but remains on the show for group dance numbers and supports his fellow professionals. And with his new arrival, the decision appears a blessing in disguise.
"I always say that everything happens for a reason," shared Neil when we probed whether he was glad about not having a partner. Adding: "Every year when I get the call from Strictly, I say, 'I don't mind whether I have a partner or not, honestly, I'm not bothered at all.'
"If I do have a partner then, great, I take them aside and ask what they want from this process. And if I don't, also great, I still turn up, cheer everyone on and give them advice. I love the show either way".
Alongside dancing, Neil is also working with men's skincare brand Shake up - admitting that he needs skincare more than ever now that he has become a father.
"Becoming a dad makes you realise even more how much you need a bit of help! But I really started looking after my skin when I began travelling as a dancer - I noticed that the girls looked a lot less tired than the guys and realised it's because they have good routines," Neil told us.
