Strictly Come Dancing professionals James and Ola Jordan have announced their separation after almost 23 years of marriage. The couple, who met at a Blackpool dance competition in 1999 and married in 2003, confirmed they began a trial separation some time ago, with co-parenting their daughter remaining their shared priority.
Meeting in Blackpool and Building a Strictly Legacy
The pair first crossed paths at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999, forging a personal and professional bond before tying the knot in 2003. They joined the BBC series three years later, quickly establishing themselves as fixtures of the program. Ola Jordan secured the glitterball trophy in 2009 alongside sports reporter Chris Hollins. James Jordan danced with a series of high-profile partners, including broadcaster Gabby Logan, actor Zoe Lucker, and presenter Denise van Outen, before both dancers eventually departed the show in successive years.
James was paired with celebrities including broadcaster Gabby Logan, actor Zoe Lucker and One Show host Alex Jones, and also reached the final with presenter Denise van Outen and psychologist Pamela Stephenson, before leaving the show in 2014. Ola, meanwhile, danced with the likes of rugby player Kenny Logan, tennis player Andrew Castle and the magician Paul Daniels, before departing Strictly a year after her husband in 2015.
Outside the ballroom, the couple welcomed a daughter, Ella, in 2020. Their long marriage frequently invited public interest, especially given the intense environment of the show they helped anchor over the years, which has often been associated with the so-called ‘Strictly curse’. Both James and Ola avoided the curse during their time on the show, proving they only had eyes for each other.
Managing Public Pressures and the Reality of Marriage
However, both dancers spoke openly in past interviews about the deliberate effort required to sustain a long-term marriage. James has previously spoken frankly about the pressures of a long term relationship, telling Hello! that marriage can be like a job sometimes, you’ve got to work at it
.
I feel sometimes people are quick to give up on something and think the grass is always greener on the other side,
he continued. It’s not all beautiful,
Ola added. Sometimes you can look at people’s posts and 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.
“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.”
Vickie White, manager and friend, via The Sun
Reflecting on Decades in the Spotlight
A source told The Sun that the split has been a huge shock to their friends and family because they always seemed like such a solid couple
. The announcement also brought back memories of lighthearted television moments from their years in the public eye, including an episode on Vanessa Feltz’s Channel 5 show where the host humorously recalled falling passionately in love with James during her brief stint on the dance program in 2013.
Discussing her partnership with the professional dancer, Vanessa admitted to falling passionately in love
with him. Looking at him, she teased: You don't know what I am going to say, do you? Look at him he's looking like he doesn't know what I am going to say,
before plucking up the courage to admit: For an insane 24 to 48 hours I fell passionately in love with him.
She went on to say: I had a partner at the time and I was happy in my relationship, ish. But I fell passionately in love with him.
Recalling meeting Ola for the first time, she added: Then I remember you coming in to show me how steps should be done and then I kind of woke up thinking this is ridiculous but there is something intoxicating.
Seemingly taken aback by her admission, James asked: Did you fall in love with me?
, to which the host responded: I did, for about 48 hours.
At the time, she told the hosts: I will miss everything, especially James and dancing, the glamour, the sequins and the fun of it all. Thank you very much indeed for having me, it’s been a lovely time.
For now, representatives confirm that the pair’s primary focus centers on supporting their daughter through the transition, closing a significant chapter in British television and dance history.
