Strictly Come Dancing 2026's John Nellis reveals he was battling secret injury during Movie Week Titanic dance
John was nervous about hurting it again throughout the entire performanceStrictly Come Dancing star John Nellis has revealed he suffered a painful injury before his Movie Week performance.
John, 33, and his professional partner Katya Jones, 37, performed a Titanic-themed routine live on the show.
But the Irish YouTuber has now revealed he was putting on a brave face the entire time.
John had even required medical attention before their Foxtrot.
Strictly’s John Nellis reveals secret thumb injury
John made the confession about his injury during Tuesday evening’s episode of Strictly: It Takes Two. He appeared on the show with fellow Strictly contestants Dani Dyer, Melanie Walters and Bethany Antonia.
John and Katya’s dance was Irish themed – based on the party attended by Rose and Jack in third class in the movie. It involved a lot of high energy and big lifts.
John admitted to It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor: “It was a good time. We just had a party. It lacked a bit of the technicality of a Foxtrot but the lifts were ambitious.
“I said earlier in the day that I didn’t know if it would work, but it kind of did.”
John then added: “But actually, earlier in the day in the dress rehearsal, I tweaked my thumb. So I was a bit scared going into it.
“I was a wee bit scared that it was going to go at me. But I’d seen the physio and we got through it. I won’t be lifting her for a week or two now!”
What are John and Katya dancing to next?
John and Katya’s next dance was also revealed on Strictly: It Takes Two. John will be taking on Latin for the first time in the ballroom this weekend.
Together, the couple will be dancing a Cha-cha to Justin Timberlake’s hit song, Rock Your Body.
Ellie asked him: “How’s the straight leg coming on?” John replied: “I’ve got one straight leg and one leg that…”
Pausing, he added: “I shouldn’t tell the judges this…” John then laughed: “Very straight legs. It’s going amazing!”
