Former Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan has opened up about his 'tough' living situation following his separation from wife Ola. The professional dancers announced earlier this month that they were splitting after more than two decades of marriage.
James Jordan speaks about split on This Morning
James, 48, and Ola, 43, got married in 2003 and welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020 through the use of IVF following a three-year fertility struggle. Making an appearance on ITV's This Morning today, James discussed their recent split and how he finds it 'hard to talk about'.
Joined by fellow Strictly star Brendan Cole to promote their new podcast, Manopause, James was asked by presenter Angela Scanlon how he was coping. 'I'm okay,' he said. 'It's been a tough few years and obviously myself and Ola, I've moved out a few months ago and it has been really tough.'
Living arrangements and reaction
'I find it hard to talk about and I'm not going to speak about it too much because I don't think it's fair on her. The fact that she's not here as well to speak about it,' James added. Brendan, who said he has been checking in on James every day, then asked about his friend's new living arrangements.
'I'm now sitting in a one-bedroom apartment on my own at night, watching TV, going, "What is going on?"' James replied. 'But I just need that time to find myself again. People can say "it's really selfish of you".'
Background of the split
James and Ola had been living with their daughter in Maidstone and were due to celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary this October. In recent months, the pair slowly began disappearing from each other's Instagram feeds. In a joint statement on social media on August 8, the couple said they were 'taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges'.
'After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing,' they said. 'Following recent reports in the press about our relationship and after receiving messages asking if everything is okay, we feel it's important to speak directly rather than let speculation or hearsay tell our story. We have always tried to be open and honest with the people who have supported us over the years and we feel it's only right that this update comes from us.'
History and recent developments
James and Ola first met in 2000 after becoming dance partners, before moving to England together the following year. They married in October 2003 and went on to become familiar faces on Strictly Come Dancing. James joined the BBC show as a professional in 2006 and remained until 2013, while Ola continued dancing on Strictly until 2015.
Last week, James was spotted ditching his wedding ring as he promoted his new men's health podcast Manopause. In promo footage for the podcast, James posed without his wedding band after Ola removed hers a while ago.
