Ola and James Jordan vow to never return to Strictly as they hit out at BBC show

08 August 2023 , 12:26

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Ola and James vow to never return to Strictly (Image: The_OlaJordan/Twitter)

Ola and James Jordan have revealed they'll never return to Strictly Come Dancing, after rising to fame as professionals on the beloved BBC reality show in the noughties.

The disappointing news comes as viewers gear up for its 21st series, which will see stars Irish TV host Angela Scanlon, British presenter Nikita Kanda and Love Island's Zara McDermott compete for a chance at winning the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

The VIP couple dashed fans' hopes of a return to Strictly this week, admitting they simply no longer have the energy for its extreme physical demands. "We're too old!" Ola, 40, confessed to Heat, before quipping, "I reckon if I did one Strictly rehearsal, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed." The British-Polish ballroom dancer departed the show in 2015, having first joined in 2006.

James, who left the show in 2013 after seven years, echoed his beloved wife's concerns about a Strictly comeback. "We let the young ones do it," the 45-year-old said. Training and rehearsals for the glitzy dance competition are notoriously intense, with celebrities and professionals expected to give at least 12 hours a week to practice ahead of the live show. With such an hefty workload involved in the process, James admits that he has no desire to relive his Strictly days.

Ola and James on Strictly (PA)

Ola and James have no plans to return to Strictly (SplashNews.com)

"I wouldn't want to put my body through training 10 and 12 hours a day and travelling to where the celebrity lives," he said. "Our life has changed now and we enjoy sitting at home and watching it." He also acknowledged that it's been a long time since he and Ola were on Strictly, joking that they appeared on the show when it was filmed in 'black and white.'

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Elsewhere in the candid interview, the loved-up couple shared who they'd most like to see sign up to Strictly Come Dancing in the future. "I think Ben Shepard would be amazing," James said, before adding Andi Peters and Piers Morgan to his wish list of candidates. When challenged by Ola to nominate a female celebrity, the choreographer suggest Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan.

Ola and James welcomed Ella in 2020 (Instagram/olajordan)

Ola and James have previously spoken out about their fertility issues (Ola Jordan/Instagram)

They also revealed that their three-year-old daughter, Ella, has inherited their talent for dance and fitness. The couple welcomed the cherubic infant in February 2020 after a successful round of IVF, having previously struggled to conceive naturally.

"She's very sporty," James said, before adding that she'd be 'on her feet' if they they 'put music on right now.' We don't push her into it, but she loves dancing," he continued. When questioned on whether mum or dad is sterner with Ella, Ola identifies herself as the disciplinarian of the two. "He [James] always thought he'd be the strict parent, but he's not," she admitted.

Emma Dooney