James Jordan Defends Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer Shake-Up

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has addressed the departure of fellow dancer Karen Hauer, stating that she should "should just be very happy that she managed to do 14 years on the show."

Hauer, 44, was one of five professional dancers cut from the BBC program in March, a move described as a "bloodbath" amid a significant shake-up. Jordan, 48, who left Strictly in 2013 after an eight-year tenure, commented that such changes are a natural part of the show's evolution.

"Get over it!" Jordan stated in an interview, responding to the outrage surrounding Hauer's exit. He advised her to "take it for as long as it's there, because there's always going to be someone younger, fresher, newer." He added that 14 years on the show is a considerable achievement, exceeding what most professionals experience before being asked to leave.

Alongside Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Márquez were also removed from the lineup, with five new professional dancers subsequently introduced.

Jordan emphasized that the constant arrival and departure of professional dancers is integral to the long-running program's growth. "The show will keep growing and keep moving on, and they will change the professional dancers. You just have to accept it for what it is," he explained. He also reflected on his own departure, stating it was his time to leave and allow younger talent to emerge.

This commentary comes after reports of past tensions between Jordan and Hauer. In 2012, they reportedly had a backstage disagreement when Hauer criticized Jordan's choreography. A year later, Hauer was involved in a reported clash with Jordan's then-estranged wife, Ola Jordan, which left the latter in tears. More recently, in 2021, Jordan publicly attributed Greg Wise's elimination to Hauer's choreography.

Despite any past friction, Jordan offered Hauer advice, encouraging her to view her time on the show positively and acknowledge the opportunities it provided. He characterized Strictly as a "juggernaut" where no single individual is larger than the program itself.

Jordan also took the opportunity to praise the behind-the-scenes teams, including makeup artists, costume designers, and camera crews, whom he described as the show's "unsung heroes" essential to its smooth operation.

Turning to the current season's celebrity cast, which has faced criticism for lacking well-known names, Jordan expressed a pragmatic view. "I am not a big watcher of TV. You've got people in there from EastEnders, you've got a hairdresser on there - I don't know who most of these people are," he admitted. However, he believes that the show's format allows audiences to connect with any celebrity. "It doesn't matter... you end up falling in love with them," he said, predicting another successful series.

He did, however, note a shift toward less recognizable celebrities compared to his earlier years on the show, when he would have preferred to see actors and athletes. Nevertheless, he concluded that "it always still works out to be a fantastic show."

The lineup for the upcoming season includes figures such as Chris Appleton, John Nellis, and Cach Mercer, alongside a broader list of participants including Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The judging panel remains unchanged, but the hosting roles have seen a change with the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe.

Jordan's remarks were made on behalf of WhichBingo. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturdays, with results revealed on Sundays.