Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals James Jordan and Ola Jordan have announced the end of their 22-year marriage after a trial separation. It was announced on Friday that the couple had split for good, with James moving out of their Kent family home some time ago.
James, 48, shared a joint statement 24 hours later on Instagram, speaking about his struggles with his mental health and their decision to part ways, which they described as an incredibly painful and emotional journey.
"After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing," the joint statement read. "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 stated that they have always tried to be open and honest with their supporters and felt it was right that the update came directly from them. "At the moment we’re taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges," they said, noting that James moved out of the family home some time ago and that it was not an easy decision.
Co-parenting and mental health struggles
The couple emphasized that their absolute priority remains their six-year-old daughter, Ella. "She’s at the centre of everything we do," they said. "We are committed to co-parenting her with all the love, care and stability she deserves."
Speaking personally, James shared details regarding his mental health. "Speaking personally (James) my mental health hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time," he stated. "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," they continued. "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."
The pair added that they do not know exactly what the future holds and are taking things one day at a time. They expressed gratitude for the love, kindness, and concern shown by supporters over the years and requested kindness, empathy, and privacy while working through the situation as a family.
Grief and fan support
James has previously spoken about battling crippling anxiety following the death of his father, Alan, in 2021. He explained at the time that his grief left him feeling extremely weak, causing him to wake up panicked thinking someone had broken into his home while experiencing severe anxiety.
He cited his daughter as a Godsend and credited his family, specifically his wife and dance partner Ola, with pulling him out of that dark emotional period. Following the split announcement, fans left supportive comments on Instagram, writing, "Take care & look after yourself & I hope you both can find each other again" and "Sending love."
Marriage history and IVF battle
James and Ola first started dating in 1999 and married in 2003. They welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020 via IVF following a three-year fertility battle.
The couple has long been open about the ups and downs of their decades-long romance, sharing details with fans ranging from disagreements to their sex life. In 2017, when they had been together for 18 years, James appeared on Lorraine and admitted that "life isn’t all smooth sailing" while revealing they had experienced ups and downs in their relationship.
Ola has also spoken openly about marital challenges in the past, noting that social media posts often create a false impression of perfect lives. "Marriage is not like that, no one's got a perfect marriage," Ola said. "It's a work in progress and I think if two people want to be together, they'll make it happen. Sometimes you have dark times and you need your other half's support, and it's not all pretty and perfect that people seem to think."
Fitness changes and Las Vegas vow renewal plans
In July 2023, the couple revealed that their sex life was back on track after previously confessing that intimacy was "definitely not better with mum and dad bods." The former professional dancers admitted their bedroom activities reached an all-time low after they became obese.
Ola said their bellies got in the way of their romance before they lost weight using their fitness plan, Dance Shred. Speaking to The Sun, she commented that her husband's slimmed-down figure boosted his appearance in his underwear, adding, "Well, let's face it. It's much more pleasant nowadays, isn't it? The bellies don't jiggle as much as they used to."
The split comes three years after the couple revealed plans to renew their marriage vows at an Elvis chapel during their 20th anniversary trip to Las Vegas. Speaking to The Sun in 2023, James said, "You never know where you're gonna end up after a few drinks. We used to go there loads before Ella was born and we like letting our hair down every now and again. We might end up somewhere saying, 'I do,'" while Ola added, "At the Elvis chapel!"
Strictly Come Dancing careers and support resources
James and Polish-born Ola first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999. They initially worked as dance partners before their relationship turned romantic, with James proposing two years later before they married in October 2003.
The pair rose to prominence after joining the BBC One celebrity competition Strictly Come Dancing as professional dancers 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.
Anyone struggling with mental health or emotional distress can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or by email at [email protected].
