Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals, James and Ola Jordan, have split up after 22 years of marriage, leaving their friends and family reeling
Strictly Come Dancing stars, James and Ola Jordan, appeared to have one of the strongest marriages on the show. Married for 22 years, the pair, who started dating in 1999, were Strictly’s longest standing couple.
After getting hitched in 2003, they welcomed their daughter Ella in 2020 and seemed to be blissfully happy. However, they now appear to have fallen victim to the BBC show’s infamous curse after it was announced they have parted ways, reportedly leaving their fans and family in shock.
Rumours started swirling around their relationship some months ago when fans clocked them spending less time together. Their rep also confirmed they had begun a trial separation earlier this year. So, as the Strictly stars begin their journey without each other for the first time in almost 30 years, here’s a look at the signs James and Ola’s split may have been a long time coming…
James admits he’s in ‘trouble’ with Ola
James, 48, admitted he got into ‘a lot of trouble’ with Ola, 43, after making an eye-popping comment about his wife. Claiming she walked around their house ‘naked all the time’ after her dramatic 3.5 stone weight loss, the dancer found himself in hot water.
The former Strictly professional dancers lost a combination of 6.5 stone thanks to a lifestyle overhaul, with Ola admitting she became a ‘shell of her former self’ after gaining weight during lockdown.
Since losing 3.5 stone, the mum-of-one shared videos of herself cleaning the kitchen and doing the shopping in her underwear – but James had previously confessed she walks around the house naked.
Admitting his loose lips could get him into trouble with his wife, he told the Mirror in 2023: “She walks around with a lot less clothes on now, let’s put it that way. Like normally, even at home, she would always cover up.”
Ola was said to be less than impressed with comments, as James conceded: “I’m a joker, I say things that get me in a lot of trouble sometimes.”
Ola’s cryptic marriage comments
As Strictly’s longest standing couple, fans thought James and Polish-born Ola were rock solid.
However, admitting that their marriage was far from plain sailing, the ballroom star said: “It’s not all beautiful. Sometimes you can look at people’s posts think, ‘Oh they’ve got perfect lives’, but it’s not like that.
“No one’s got a perfect marriage. It’s a work in progress and if two people want to be together, they’ll make it happen.”
Spending less time together
Chatter surrounding the couple’s relationship reached its peak earlier this year, when their fans noticed they were spending less time together.
Last month James shared pictures with Ella at a Paw Patrol movie premiere in London, but Ola wasn’t there.
Meanwhile, Ola was papped with the couple’s daughter at the opening of Paw Patrol Land at Chessington World of Adventuresin Surrey – with no sign of James.
Wondering if the couple had called it quits then, one of James’ followers commented: “Have they separated?”
Another replied: “I was feeling the same. Very sad if they have. Love their little family.”
Pals say James ‘hasn’t been in a good place for some time’
After sashaying around the Strictly dance floor every Saturday night, James was one of the telly’s most famous faces. However, after leaving the show, he made a number of controversial comments about the series, the judges and its celebrities.
Claiming the dad-of-one had been feeling out of sorts for some time, a source told The Sun: “James hasn’t been in a good place for quite a while now and things came to a head recently.”
Revealing James and Ola had been talking about the future for the last few months, they added: “They’ve had some open and honest discussions about their future over the past few months and have now decided that the best option is for them to separate.”
Trial separation
After news of James and Ola’s split was announced, their manager confirmed the break up.
Revealing that they had begun a trial separation some months ago while still figuring out their future, Vickie White, their manager and friend, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I can confirm that James and Ola began a trial separation some time ago.
“Their shared priority remains co-parenting their daughter, Ella, and they are committed to putting her wellbeing first. “They would greatly appreciate your understanding as they navigate this difficult time.”
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