Strictly couple James and Ola Jordan split after 22 years of marriage

Strictly Come Dancing stars and real-life couple James Jordan and Ola Jordan have split after over two decades of marriage.

The pro dancers wed in 2003 and welcomed daughter Ella in February 2020.

Now, following an incredibly public long-time relationship, the pair have decided they can ‘no longer make it work’.

As claimed by a source, James, 48, and Ola, 43, are ‘devastated’ that things have ended.

The insider added to The Sun: ‘It’s been a huge shock to their friends and family because they always seemed like such a solid couple.

‘But they know in the long run it is the right decision.

‘They have been together for almost 30 years, and while they love and care for each other, things have changed.’

It’s believed that ‘things came to a head recently’.

‘They’ve had some open and honest discussions about their future over the past few months and have now decided that the best option is for them to separate.’

Ola has reportedly removed her wedding ring, as well as her engagement ring from James’s proposal in 2001.

‘Their focus now is on Ella and keeping things settled for her.’

In an additional statement, James and Ola’s manager, 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 well-being first.

‘They would greatly appreciate your understanding as they navigate this difficult time.’

James and Ola lived with their daughter in Maidstone, Kent, and had been due to celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary this October.

The ex-couple started dating in 1999, having met in Blackpool when James, who started dancing aged 13, was competing.

Speaking previously about seeing James with his then-girlfriend, Polish-born Ola recalled: ‘He was tall and very good-looking, with slicked-back black hair and piercing blue eyes. His dancing was amazing.

‘His partner was Polish, and when I watched them dance together, I was filled with just one thought, “I want to have a partner like that one day.”

Ola received a phone call from James’s girlfriend and dance partner a few months later, explaining who she and James were and that they were both looking to progress with different partners.

She informed Ola that James wanted to visit Poland for a ‘trial’ with Ola, after which they struck up a professional partnership before things turned romantic two years later.

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