Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals James and Ola Jordan have revealed they are “taking some time apart” due to “difficult personal challenges,” admitting that “neither of us is in a good place right now.” The couple, who have been married for 22 years, confirmed their separation in a joint statement shared on their Instagram pages.
Statement Addresses Relationship Status
In the statement, the couple said: “After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing. 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.”
They explained that James “moved out of the family home some time ago,” and described the separation as “incredibly painful and emotional” and “wasn’t an easy decision.”
Focus on Daughter Ella
The statement emphasized their priority: “Our absolute priority, now and always, is our beautiful daughter Ella. She’s at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to co-parenting her with all the love, care and stability she deserves.”
James, 48, also addressed his mental health, saying he “hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time.” The statement 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 to a healthier place, both for myself and for Ella.”
Request for Privacy
The couple concluded: “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 and we ask that people remember there are real people and real emotions behind every headline, every comment and every post. We don’t know exactly what the future holds. For now, we’re taking things one day at a time, doing what we both believe is best for ourselves, our family, and most importantly Ella.”
They thanked followers for “the love, kindness and concern” and asked for “kindness, empathy and a little privacy as we work through this as a family.”
Background
James and Ola, 43, are professional ballroom dancers and choreographers, best known for their roles on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. They joined the show in 2006 and became household names. James featured until 2013, partnering with stars such as Pamela Stephenson, Alex Jones, Denise Van Outen and Vanessa Feltz. Ola competed until 2015, dancing with celebrities including DJ Spoony, Sid Owen, Steve Backshall and Iwan Thomas. She won the Glitterball trophy in 2009 with TV personality Chris Hollins.
The couple have also appeared together on shows like All Star Mr & Mrs, Through The Keyhole, Celebrity Coach Trip and Dancing On Wheels. Their daughter Ella was born in 2020 via IVF after a widely publicised three-year fertility struggle.
