Two new Strictly Come Dancing professionals have defended a dance routine after they were criticised for performing in fat suits.

Video has emerged of married couple Neil and Katya Jones, two of the professionals unveiled last month for the hit BBC1 ballroom dancing show, in the oversized outfits.

The pair’s routine won them second place at the Professional Latin World Showdance Championship, but some viewers of the video called their performance “insensitive”, “offensive” and “not entertaining or funny”.

A spokesman for the pair said: “Neil and Katya’s showdance was never intended to offend – it was a performance for which they won second place in the Professional Latin World Showdance Championship.”

They are previous winners of the World Amateur Latin Championships and last year were crowned World Professional Latin Showdance Champions.

Neil, who was born in a British Army camp in Germany and is the undefeated four-time British national champion, has previously said he is “thrilled” to be joining Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals wearing fat suitsScreen grabbed image taken with permission from a video by Samuel Leung of Neil and Katya Jones, two new Strictly Come Dancing professionals wearing fat suits during a dance routine. (Sam’s Photography)

“As a British dancer I have grown up watching this amazing show, it is a massive honour and I am feeling pumped and excited to be part of the Strictly family,” he said.

Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls could be competing on this year’s show, alongside singer Will Young, actress Lesley Joseph, former royal butler Paul Burrell and TV presenters Louise Redknapp and Laura Whitmore.

Ed Balls clappingEd Balls could be waltzing his way on to Strictly (Jon Super/AP/PA)

Head judge Len Goodman has previously announced the next series of Strictly will be his last.