James Jordan has reportedly been a pillar of support for his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Denise Van Outen during her marriage crisis, as he and his wife Ola announced their separation after 22 years of marriage.
The couple, who met at a dance competition in 1999 and married in 2003, shocked fans with their joint statement last week, saying they never imagined they'd be sharing such news. They explained they are taking time apart to work through difficult personal challenges, with James having already moved out of the family home.
Strictly partnership and friendship
James and Denise partnered on the BBC show in 2011, reaching the final. Despite being voted the least popular couple at times, they formed a close bond. After Denise's split from Lee Mead in 2013, James revealed he had been checking on her, saying: "It’s been tough for her. I have been checking on Denise and it is a very hard time."
He added: "We did become like best friends. It’s sad when you go your separate ways because you spend eight hours a day with someone and then you don’t see them any more. It’s very strange."
Personal struggles and family
James and Ola have been open about their fertility struggles, including a miscarriage in 2023. Their daughter Ella was born via IVF in 2020 after three years of trying to conceive.
