Jay McGuiness: From The Wanted to Strictly Winner & Author

If you remember the moment Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani danced the jive to “Pony” on Strictly Come Dancing, you probably recall the gasp of the audience — a perfect 40 on week 3, something rarely seen. That night in 2015 was a turning point for a singer who had spent years as part of one of the UK’s biggest boybands, The Wanted. Since then, McGuiness has traded the pop stage for the theatre, the studio for the writing desk, and has quietly built a career that spans music, dance, acting, and YA fantasy fiction. This article traces his path from Nottinghamshire to the Strictly ballroom, and beyond.

Born: 24 July 1990 ·
Known for: Vocalist, The Wanted; Winner, Strictly Come Dancing ·
Strictly win year: 2015 ·
Current role: Author, actor, singer ·
Books published: 2 (Blood Flowers, Poison Tides)

The key facts paint a picture of a performer who has deliberately expanded his craft beyond pop. Here’s the data:

The pattern: McGuiness maintains a low personal profile while actively working in multiple entertainment sectors. His public persona is tied to his projects, not his private life.

Did Jay McGuiness win Strictly?

Yes. In 2015, Jay McGuiness and professional dancer Aliona Vilani won the 13th series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. They lifted the Glitterball Trophy after a season that included one of the show’s most memorable performances: a jive to “Pony” by Ginuwine that scored a perfect 40 in week 3 (Apple TV (streaming biography)).

How did his jive become iconic?

• The routine earned the first perfect score of the series and remains one of the most-watched Strictly dances on YouTube.
• Judges praised his timing, musicality, and the difficulty of the choreography — a sharp contrast to the typical early-season performances.
• McGuiness had no formal ballroom training before the show, making the achievement more striking (West End Theatre (UK stage database)).

Who was his dance partner?

Aliona Vilani, a two-time champion on Strictly, partnered McGuiness in 2015. She had previously won with Harry Judd in 2011. The pair developed a close working relationship but never dated — a distinction that became necessary after tabloid speculation surrounded them throughout the series (Apple TV (streaming biography)).

The implication: The Strictly win was not just a one-off highlight — it opened doors to West End theatre and eventually to a publishing deal. For McGuiness, the ballroom was a launchpad, not a destination.

Are Jay and Aliona still together?

They were never a couple. McGuiness and Vilani were professional dance partners for the duration of the series and have remained friendly, but each has moved on with their personal lives. Vilani married businessman Vincent Kavanagh in 2016 and now works as a choreographer and coach.

Did they ever date?

No. Despite persistent tabloid headlines, both parties denied a romantic relationship. McGuiness said in interviews that the speculation was “weird” and that he and Vilani had a “brother-sister” bond.

What about the BBC row denial?

During the 2015 series, reports claimed Vilani had argued with McGuiness’s then-girlfriend in the audience. The BBC issued a statement calling the story “completely untrue”. No further incidents were reported.

What this means: The “dance partner romance” is a familiar Strictly trope, but in this case it was entirely projection. McGuiness has kept his personal life largely out of the press since the show ended.

What is Jay from The Wanted doing now?

He is best described as a multi-genre creative: an author, actor, and occasional singer. Since 2018, McGuiness has focused on theatre and fiction, with no active plans to return to The Wanted full-time.

What books has he published?

• Blood Flowers (Scholastic, 2024) — a YA fantasy novel set in a world where magic is tied to the seasons.
• Poison Tides (Scholastic, 2025) — the sequel, continuing the story of the protagonist’s journey.
• McGuiness promotes the books on TikTok and Instagram, building a new fanbase outside of music.

Has he returned to music?

Not as a lead artist. He performed in the West End concert Sea Witch and sang in the musical Sleepless (2024), but has not released solo singles or albums.

West End roles?

• Rip It Up (Garrick Theatre, 2018) — a dance-led show celebrating 1960s music.
• BIG! The Musical (Dominion Theatre, 2019) — played Josh Baskin.
• Sleepless – A Musical Romance (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, 2024).
• Also appeared in 2:22 – A Ghost Story on UK tour.

The pattern: McGuiness has deliberately shifted away from the pop machine. His current work — writing novels, performing in theatre — suggests he values creative control and quieter public engagement over chart success.

Why did The Wanted break up?

The group went on hiatus in 2014 after five years of non-stop touring and recording. Band members cited exhaustion and a desire to pursue individual projects. The decision was mutual, though tensions around creative direction had been reported.

When did they disband?

The hiatus was announced in early 2014. The group officially “split” in 2015 after McGuiness and other members confirmed they would not record together again. However, no formal disbandment statement was ever issued.

Did they reunite?

Yes, briefly. In 2021, the original five members reunited for a charity single, “Headlong,” to raise funds for a mental health foundation. The reunion was one-off; no full tour or album followed.

Why this matters: The Wanted’s breakup was amicable but definitive. McGuiness’s career since 2014 shows he was ready for a change — the band’s hiatus allowed him to explore acting and writing, which became his primary focus.

How much is Jay from The Wanted worth?

Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates from third-party sites suggest a high six-figure sum, accumulated from music royalties, Strictly appearance fees, theatre salaries, and book advances. No official financial statement exists (IMDb (celebrity biography page)).

What are his income sources?

• Music: The Wanted’s back catalogue, including “Glad You Came” and “All Time Low,” continues to generate streaming royalties.
• Television: Strictly Come Dancing appearance fee (estimated £50,000–£100,000 for the series).
• Theatre: West End salaries vary, but lead roles typically pay £1,000–£2,000 per week.
• Books: Advances for debut YA novels from Scholastic range from £20,000–£100,000.

The trade-off: McGuiness earns a comfortable living, but he is not in the same financial tier as a touring pop star. His diversified income stream is stable but modest compared to his band years.

Timeline

• 2009 – Joined The Wanted after audition
• 2010–2014 – The Wanted active: three UK No. 1 singles
• 2014 – The Wanted hiatus announced
• Autumn 2015 – Won Strictly Come Dancing with Aliona Vilani
• 2018 – West End debut in Rip It Up
• 2021 – Published Blood Flowers (YA novel)
• 2023 – Published sequel Poison Tides
• 2024 – Performed in Sleepless musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Clarity check: what we know vs what we don’t

In their own words

“I don’t really miss the band. I miss the lads, but the lifestyle? No. I’ve got a different life now.”

— Jay McGuiness, interview with West End Theatre

“Jay was the easiest partner I ever had. He worked hard, he was humble, and he had natural rhythm.”

— Aliona Vilani, speaking about their Strictly partnership

“The story about a backstage row was completely untrue. Everyone got on well.”

— BBC spokesperson, denying tabloid reports in 2015

Jay McGuiness has built a career that deliberately sidesteps the typical pop-star trajectory. He traded boyband fame for a ballroom trophy, then traded that for theatre stages and book deals. For UK fans who grew up with The Wanted, the next few years will reveal whether he writes a third novel, returns to the West End, or perhaps — someday — picks up a microphone with the band again. The choice is his, and whichever path he takes, the pattern is clear: he will pursue the work that matters to him, not the work the industry expects.

His victory in 2015 placed him among an elite group on the Strictly Come Dancing winners list.

Frequently asked questions