Ola and James Jordan, the longest-standing couple from "Strictly Come Dancing," have announced their separation after 22 years of marriage. Representatives for the former professional dancers confirmed the news on Friday, stating the couple had begun a trial separation "some time ago."
The couple, who first met in 1999 and married in 2003, share a six-year-old daughter, Ella. Their priority, according to their representative, remains co-parenting Ella and ensuring her well-being.
Signs of a potential split had been noted by fans in recent weeks. Ola had been seen without her wedding ring, and both she and James had been attending events separately, including outings with their daughter. Social media posts from the couple had also shown a lack of shared content, with James not having posted a picture with Ola since their 22nd anniversary in October. Similarly, James last appeared on Ola's Instagram in March, during their daughter's sixth birthday celebration.
The couple's joint fitness business, Dance Shred, has also seen no activity on its social media pages for over a year.
Throughout their relationship, Ola and James have been open about experiencing both good times and challenges. In 2017, James Jordan acknowledged that their relationship was "not all smooth sailing" and had gone through "ups and downs." Ola has previously spoken about the realities of marriage, stating that no marriage is perfect and that relationships require work and support through difficult periods.
In July 2023, the couple had discussed their sex life, noting it had improved after they had previously admitted to it hitting an all-time low when they became "obese." They attributed this to their "mum and dad bods," with Ola humorously noting that their slimmer figures were "much more pleasant nowadays."
Ola, originally from Poland, and James Jordan first met at a dance competition in Blackpool. Their professional partnership evolved into a romantic relationship, leading to James proposing two years later. They tied the knot in October 2003.
Both dancers gained significant public recognition as professionals on BBC One's "Strictly Come Dancing." James departed the show after its 11th season in 2013, while Ola concluded her tenure at the end of series 13 in 2015. The couple welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020, following a three-year fertility journey that involved IVF.