James and Ola Jordan have separated after 22 years of marriage, their manager and friend Vickie White confirmed. The Strictly Come Dancing stars had been on a trial separation and are committed to co-parenting their daughter Ella.
Marriage Struggles Revealed
The couple had previously spoken openly about the challenges in their relationship. James once described their marriage as 'like a job' and said it took effort to make it work. Speaking to HELLO!, he said: “We’ve got a beautiful daughter and as my dad always used to say, and it’s true, ‘Marriage can be like a job sometimes, you’ve got to work at it’.”
Ola added: “It’s not all beautiful. No one’s got a perfect marriage. It’s a work in progress and if two people want to be together, they’ll make it happen.”
Strictly Curse Comments
James also joked about the Strictly curse, saying if he weren't with Ola, he'd have been worse than Giovanni Pernice. He said: “If they’re single, I say crack on, I’m all for it. If I wasn’t with Ola, I’d have been worse than Giovanni Pernice!”
Weight Loss and Intimacy
The pair underwent a massive lifestyle change in 2022, dropping 6.5 stone between them. Before that, Ola had said their sex life was 'in the toilet' because 'the bellies get in the way.' James added: “Sex is definitely not better with the mum and dad bods. I can’t throw her about any more like I am used to doing.”
Confirmation of Split
Fans had suspected trouble after noticing the couple's absence from each other's social media. Vickie White confirmed: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that James and Ola began a trial separation some time ago. Their shared priority remains co-parenting their daughter, Ella, and they are committed to putting her wellbeing first. They would greatly appreciate your understanding as they navigate this difficult time."
