Ola Jordan has spoken publicly for the first time about the end of her marriage to James Jordan, admitting she has endured some of her ‘darkest days’ during an ‘incredibly tough’ summer. The former Strictly Come Dancing professionals confirmed earlier this month that they had separated after 22 years of marriage and 26 years together, with James moving out of the family home some time ago.
Now Ola, 43, has reflected on how dramatically her life has changed, revealing that six-year-old daughter Ella has been her greatest source of comfort. ‘There have been moments this summer when my heart has felt heavier than I ever imagined it could,’ she wrote on social media. ‘Life has changed in ways I never expected, and some days have been incredibly tough.’
Focus on daughter Ella
While she didn’t directly name James, Ola’s emotional message comes weeks after the pair announced they were taking time apart while navigating what they described as ‘very difficult personal challenges.’ The dancer instead focused on her daughter, whom the former couple welcomed via IVF in February 2020 following a three-year fertility struggle.
‘But through all of the uncertainty, one thing has remained constant, my beautiful girl Ella,’ Ola continued. ‘Spending these summer holidays with my baby girl, making memories, having cuddles, laughing until our tummies hurt and simply enjoying every precious moment together has been my greatest comfort. She may not realise it now, but she has been my little ray of sunshine through some of my darkest days.’
Adjusting to upheaval
Ola admitted the past few months have looked very different to the summer she had anticipated but said she is attempting to concentrate on her relationship with Ella as she adjusts to the upheaval. ‘This summer hasn’t been the one I imagined, but I’m choosing to focus on what truly matters – her, our memories, and all the love between us,’ she said.
The former Strictly champion also thanked those who have quietly supported her since news of the separation became public. ‘And to everyone who has sent me messages, checked in on me, shown me kindness or simply reminded me that I’m not alone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,’ she added. ‘Your love and support have meant more to me than you will ever know.’
James's candid admission
Reports of the couple’s separation first emerged earlier this month, after fans had already noticed James and Ola appearing less frequently on one another’s social media accounts. Their manager subsequently confirmed they had begun a trial separation, before the dancers released a joint statement addressing the painful decision themselves.
‘At the moment we’re taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges. [James] moved out of the family home some time ago,’ they said. ‘This has been an incredibly painful and emotional journey for us both and it certainly wasn’t an easy decision. Our absolute priority, now and always, is our beautiful daughter Ella.’
James, 48, has also been candid about how dramatically his day-to-day life has changed since leaving the home he shared with Ola and their daughter. Appearing on This Morning earlier this month, he admitted the couple had experienced a difficult few years before he eventually moved out several months ago. ‘It’s been a tough few years. I moved out a few months ago, and it has been really tough,’ he said.
The reality of suddenly living alone after more than two decades of marriage has been particularly difficult to adjust to. ‘I’m now sitting in a one bedroom apartment on my own, at night, watching TV, going, “what is going on?”,’ James admitted. ‘But I just feel I need that time to find myself again.’
James and Ola first crossed paths through competitive dancing before beginning their relationship in 1999. They married four years later in 2003 and would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this October. The pair became familiar faces to millions when they both joined Strictly in 2006, eventually becoming one of the show’s best-known professional couples. Ola went on to win the Glitterball Trophy with BBC presenter Chris Hollins in 2009 and remained on the programme until 2015, while James’s celebrity partners included Alex Jones, Denise Van Outen and Pamela Stephenson before he departed in 2013.
