Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has lifted the lid on what he believes is the most "unfair" aspect of the hit BBC show, claiming it creates an uneven playing field before the competition even begins.
The Height Dilemma That Could Make or Break a Contestant
In a surprising revelation, Jordan explained that the height matching between celebrities and professional dancers represents the show's greatest injustice. "The most unfair thing about Strictly is when they partner people up on height," the dancer turned commentator stated.
James, who enjoyed a successful nine-year stint on the programme between 2006 and 2015, emphasised how this seemingly minor detail can dramatically impact a contestant's entire Strictly journey.
Why Height Matching Creates an Unlevel Playing Field
The issue stems from the production team's practice of pairing celebrities with professionals of similar stature for aesthetic reasons. However, this approach fails to consider the varying skill levels among the professional dancers.
"You could have the best dancer who's 6ft 2in, but if your celebrity is 5ft 2in, you're not going to get them," Jordan explained. This means a less experienced professional might be paired with a celebrity simply because their heights align better.
The Ripple Effect on Competition Quality
This height-based matching system creates several disadvantages:
- Talented celebrities might be paired with weaker professional dancers
- Natural chemistry between potential partners is overlooked
- Teaching abilities take a backseat to physical measurements
- The overall quality of performances suffers as a result
Jordan stressed that while height compatibility matters for certain dance styles, it shouldn't be the primary factor in determining partnerships, especially when it compromises the dancing quality.
A Professional's Perspective on Fair Competition
Having experienced the Strictly process from both sides, Jordan brings unique insight into the show's inner workings. His comments highlight how production considerations sometimes override competitive fairness.
"It's not fair on the celebrity," he asserted, pointing out that contestants invest significant time and emotional energy into the competition, only to be potentially hampered by a pairing decision made for visual rather than performance reasons.
The revelation has sparked discussion among Strictly fans, many of whom had never considered how height matching could influence the competition's outcome before the first dance even begins.
