Ola Jordan Returns to Strictly's 'It Takes Two' After 11-Year Hiatus
Former professional dancer Ola Jordan expressed surreal feelings upon her guest appearance on the BBC show, marking a significant return after a reported fallout.
Ola Jordan has described her return to the Strictly Come Dancing universe as 'surreal' after an 11-year absence. The professional dancer, 44, appeared as a guest on the BBC's companion show, It Takes Two, on Friday, alongside former contestants Sarah Hadland and Dr. Ranj Singh.
Jordan originally departed the BBC show in 2015, reportedly following a disagreement after her now ex-husband, James Jordan, was dismissed the previous year. At the time, she also alleged that judges manipulated scores to keep certain couples in the competition, claims that the BBC denied.
This television appearance signifies a notable moment for Jordan, who announced the end of her marriage to fellow Strictly professional James earlier this year. She shared her emotions on Instagram following the show, writing, "It really does feel like coming home! Stepping back into the Strictly world has honestly felt so surreal. So many incredible memories, so many special people and such a huge part of my life was created here. Thank you to Strictly for having me back and giving me the opportunity to be part of it again."
Fans also expressed delight at her return, with many taking to social media to welcome her back.
Jordan's appearance comes shortly after she offered her critique of the current season's hosting lineup, commenting on a perceived "lack of chemistry" among the new presenters, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe. She noted that the presenters "are still finding their feet" and that the show "was a bit messy at times." Jordan suggested that Widdicombe appeared nervous and needed to "warm up a bit more."
The BBC show has also seen a dip in viewership, with 4.8 million tuning in for the first live show, a decrease from last year's 6.2 million.
In August, Ola and James Jordan announced the end of their 26-year relationship. While James has spoken about the split, Ola recently shared a personal message on Instagram, describing moments of heartbreak and acknowledging the difficulty of life changes. She credited their six-year-old daughter, Ella, as her "little ray of sunshine" and a source of comfort during the summer holidays. Jordan also expressed gratitude for the support she has received from family, friends, and fans.