Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan, 44, made a surprise return to the BBC spin-off show It Takes Two this week, appearing in a plunging red dress to discuss the weekend's performances. The appearance comes 11 years after she left the dance show, and one year after her estranged husband James Jordan departed.
Cryptic four-word Instagram message
Shortly after her return, the mum-of-one shared a cryptic message on her Instagram Stories with her 341,000 followers. The four-word post read: "Life could be better."
The full message said: "Make it a habit to wake up grateful no matter what you're going through. Life could be better, but it could also be much worse. Always remain hopeful and stay grateful."
Split after 22 years together
Ola split from husband James in the summer after 22 years together. James moved out of the family home into a one-bedroom apartment, describing the transition as a tough period involving personal and mental health challenges.
Ola previously told fans: "There have been moments this summer when my heart has felt heavier than I ever imagined it could. Life has changed in ways I never expected, and some days have been incredibly tough."
Joint statement on separation
The former couple shocked fans when they announced their separation in a joint statement. It read: "We're taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges. James moved out of the family home some time ago. This has been an incredibly painful and emotional journey for us both and it certainly wasn't an easy decision."
The statement added that James's mental health "hasn't been in a good place for quite some time". He added: "I've been struggling more than I've let people see and I'm taking the time I need to focus on getting myself into a healthier place, both for myself and for Ella. Neither of us is in a good place right now. We're both doing our best to navigate one of the hardest chapters of our lives."
