TWO Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers have been spotted looking unrecognisable in a throwback as teenage pals.
The snaps were shared to Instagram last night as a birthday celebration between the close friends – who have both competed as pros on the long-running BBC One programme.
The two dancers posed as teens in one snap
Luba and Katya looked unrecognisable in the throwback snaps
Katya Jones took to her Instagram stories to post the sweet images from her past as she wished Luba Mushtuk a ‘Happy Birthday’.
The two women were seen posing in their dancing gear together back in their teens in two blasts from the past.
Russian dancers Katya, 33, and Luba, 33, could be seen striking a pose for the camera as they appeared fresh faced and youthful.
While Katya wore a tight black leotard for one snap, Luba showed off her back in a flamenco-inspired purple skirt as she pouted.
A second snap saw the women both wearing all-black looks, with red fringed sarong skirts tied round their waist at dance school.
They both struck a serious look towards the camera as they held up their arms in a Paso Doble hold in a group of other girls.
“Well this is just perfect to wish you a Happy Birthday my friend,” Katya penned. “Look at us.”
Reposting the images, Luba wrote back to her close friend: “Let’s celebrate wearing better outfits that this.”
The friends then headed out for the evening, alongside Oti Mabuse, Vito Coppola and Fleur East for a swanky dinner.
It comes after Katya and her dance partner Tony Adams were forced to pull out of Strictly this weekend after a shock injury.
The Arsenal legend, 56, was left struggling to walk after a hamstring injury and was unable to repeat his jive with Katya.
Following the news, a heartbroken Katya shared a series of snaps of her time with Tony on the dance show and paid tribute to the former sports star – saying she had “gained a friend and entire family”.
Meanwhile, Luba recently revealed her surprise new career – and it’s not dancing, after missing out on a partner for this year’s series.
She has turned her attention to a second career, details of which she revealed in an exclusive chat with SE.
She said: “I do acting and I started my new and very beautiful hobby. It is really challenging but I love challenging things.
“It’s beautiful. I don’t know where it’s going to bring me but for now I’m studying and I love it.”
Luba hinted that she might have some projects coming up with acting too, saying: “Maybe, you never know.”
In 2019 Luba was partnered with James Cracknell, who was her first celebrity pairing since joining the show.
She was then partnered with former American footballer Jason Bell in 2020.
Recently, fans thought they spotted chemistry between the star and former flame Giovanni Pernice.
Luba and Katya looked very different in the old snaps
