Former Strictly Come Dancing stars James Jordan and Ola Jordan have split after 22 years of marriage, following a trial separation several months ago. The couple, who were the longest-standing professional pairing on the show, announced their decision after living apart for months.
According to sources, James told Ola that he needed space and moved out of their five-bedroom marital home. He has been living alone in a small flat in Kent while working through mental health challenges.
In a joint statement released on social media over the weekend, the couple said they never imagined sharing such news after 26 years together. They explained that they chose to speak directly to fans following press reports and messages asking if everything was okay, rather than allowing speculation or hearsay to tell their story.
They confirmed that James moved out of the family home some time ago as they take time apart to work through difficult personal challenges. They described the situation as an incredibly painful and emotional journey and stated that ending their marriage was not an easy decision.
A source told The Sun that the past few months have been tough for James as he tries to keep moving forward. The source added that Ola has been supporting him as best she can, but the decision to end their marriage has been incredibly difficult for both of them. A representative for the couple was contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.
Statement on mental health and parenting
In the joint statement, the couple emphasized that their six-year-old daughter Ella remains their absolute priority. They stated that Ella is at the center of everything they do and committed to co-parenting her with love, care, and stability.
Speaking personally within the statement, James explained that his mental health has not been in a good place for quite some time. He shared that he has been struggling more than he let people see and is taking time to focus on getting into a healthier place for himself and his daughter.
The couple added that neither of them is in a good place right now as they navigate one of the hardest chapters of their lives. They asked people to remember that real people and real emotions exist behind every headline, comment, and post, adding that they are taking things one day at a time while being grateful for the support shown to them over the years.
Relationship history and career
James has previously spoken about battling crippling anxiety following the death of his father Alan in 2021. He said at the time that grief made him feel weak and caused him to wake up panicked, but credited his family and his wife Ola for pulling him out of that dark emotional period.
The couple first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999 and became professional dance partners before their relationship turned romantic. James proposed two years later, and they married in October 2003. They welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020 via IVF after a three-year fertility battle.
Both dancers rose to national fame after joining BBC One's celebrity competition Strictly Come Dancing during series four in 2006. James departed the show after season 11 in 2013, while Ola left at the end of series 13 in 2015. Following the announcement, fans shared supportive messages in the comments wishing them well.
Anyone struggling with mental health can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or emailing [email protected].
