Former "Strictly Come Dancing" professionals James and Ola Jordan have announced the end of their 22-year marriage, confirming a split that followed a trial separation. In a joint statement released via James's Instagram account, the couple described the decision as 'incredibly painful and emotional' and acknowledged James's ongoing mental health struggles.
"After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing," the 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."
The couple, who have been together since 1999 and married in 2003, stated that James moved out of their family home some time ago. They emphasized that their "absolute priority" is their six-year-old daughter, Ella, and that they are committed to co-parenting her with love and stability.
James Jordan, 48, spoke openly about his personal challenges, stating, "My mental health hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time. 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."
They acknowledged that neither of them is currently in a good place and are doing their best to navigate a difficult period. They asked for kindness, empathy, and privacy as they work through the situation as a family. "We don’t know exactly what the future holds. For now, we’re taking things one day at a time, doing what we both believe is best for ourselves, our family and most importantly….. Ella."
Jordan has previously spoken about battling anxiety, particularly after the death of his father, Alan, in 2021, and credited his family, including Ola, with helping him through that dark period. The couple welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020 after a three-year fertility battle using IVF.
The Jordans were the longest-standing professional couple on "Strictly Come Dancing," with James leaving the show in 2013 and Ola departing in 2015. They had previously discussed the ups and downs of their long-term relationship, with Ola noting in the past that "marriage is not like that, no one's got a perfect marriage. It's a work in progress."
In July 2023, the couple had humorously shared that their sex life had improved after they had both lost weight, having previously joked that their "bellies got in their way." This news of their separation comes just three years after they had spoken about plans to renew their wedding vows in Las Vegas for their 20th anniversary.
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