Strictly Come Dancing star announces split from husband before new series launch

Strictly Come Dancing star Alexis Warr has announced that she is separating from her husband, Jake Burton.The professional dancer shared the news as she prepares to return to the BBC contest this autumn. Warr, who hails from Utah in the United States, was introduced to the hit dance series’ professional lineup for the first time in 2025, making it to the final with YouTube and TikTok star George Clarke.

Following the end of the series, she joined the Strictly Come Dancing Live 2026 tour, having previously appeared on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars in the US. However, despite her busy schedule, Warr had seemingly taken a step back from promoting her work on social media. Alexis Warr shared that she has separated from her husband of eight years (Getty)On Tuesday (23 June), she apologised to her followers for being “a bit MIA” then said she was sharing a “personal update”.

“After much consideration and with the greatest respect for one another, Jake and I have made the decision to separate,” she wrote in an Instagram Story.“Whilst this hasn’t been an easy decision, it has been reached with a huge amount of love and we’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”Warr asked for “privacy and understanding as we navigate this life change together”, thanking fans for their support.

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This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Warr and Burton were childhood sweethearts and married in 2018. In November last year, Warr celebrated their seven-year wedding anniversary with a throwback photo from the moment Burton proposed and a video from their wedding day, calling Burton “the absolute love of my life”.

“Seven years of being your wife has been an absolute privilege,” she said. “I’m so incredibly lucky and grateful to be loved by you. Can’t wait to see what more memories we unlock this year.”

The BBC has gradually been unveiling the celebrity contestants taking part in the next series of Strictly. Fans were surprised with the first cast announcement earlier this month, confirming that EastEnders actor Lacey Turner and former Love Island star Dani Dyer – the daughter of actor Danny Dyer – would be competing. The professional dancers set to participate in the 2026 series have already been revealed – with five former stars leaving the series outright.

Professional dancer Johannes Radebe, meanwhile, has been promoted to one of three new hosts, alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.Join our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments