One of the most enduring love stories in the Strictly Come Dancing family has come to an emotional end.
Former Strictly professionals Ola and James Jordan have announced they are separating after 22 years of marriage, bringing the curtain down on a relationship that spanned nearly three decades.
The couple, once considered one of the show’s strongest partnerships, revealed they quietly began a trial separation some time ago before making the difficult decision to part ways permanently.
A Sad Goodbye After Nearly 30 Years Together
James, 48, and Ola, 43, first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999. What began as a professional dance partnership soon blossomed into romance, leading to their engagement and an October 2003 wedding.
Together they became one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most recognizable husband-and-wife teams, appearing as professional dancers from 2006 before James left the show in 2013 and Ola followed in 2015.
For years, they were viewed as one of the franchise’s most stable couples.
Now, that chapter has come to an end.
Their Daughter Remains Their Greatest Priority
In a statement released through their representative, the couple confirmed the separation while making it clear that their six-year-old daughter, Ella, remains at the center of every decision they make.
The statement read:
“It is with great sadness that I can confirm James and Ola began a trial separation some time ago.
Their shared priority remains co-parenting their daughter, Ella, and they are committed to putting her wellbeing first.
They would greatly appreciate your understanding as they navigate this difficult time.”
The announcement has surprised many fans, who had long admired the couple’s seemingly unbreakable bond.
Friends Left Shocked
According to people close to the pair, the split has come as a surprise to many family members and friends.
Sources say that although James and Ola still care deeply for one another, they gradually realized their relationship had changed after almost 30 years together.
Insiders also claim James had been struggling personally for some time, prompting months of honest conversations before they mutually agreed that separating was the right decision for their future.
Reports further suggest Ola has stopped wearing both her wedding and engagement rings, while fans also noticed the couple had not shared a social media post together since last year.
They Never Pretended Marriage Was Perfect
Throughout their relationship, James and Ola were refreshingly honest about the reality of marriage.
Rather than presenting a flawless image, they often admitted relationships require constant work.
James once acknowledged that life together had experienced plenty of highs and lows, while Ola reminded fans that no marriage is perfect.
She previously explained that social media often creates unrealistic expectations, saying relationships go through difficult periods and only survive when both people are willing to keep fighting for one another.
Their openness earned admiration from fans who appreciated their honesty.
From Fertility Struggles to Parenthood
The couple welcomed daughter Ella in February 2020 after a deeply emotional three-year IVF journey, frequently speaking about how becoming parents transformed their lives.
They later documented family life together, as well as their health journey after launching their fitness programme Dance Shred, following candid conversations about regaining confidence and rebuilding their wellbeing.
Just three years ago, they even spoke about renewing their wedding vows during a romantic trip to Las Vegas, joking they might end up saying “I do” again at an Elvis chapel.
At the time, few could have imagined they would eventually go their separate ways.
The End of an Era
For many Strictly fans, Ola and James represented one of the competition’s greatest real-life success stories.
Although their marriage has now come to an end, both have made it clear that their focus remains on raising their daughter together with love, respect, and stability.
While this marks the closing of a remarkable 27-year relationship, supporters across the country are now wishing them both strength as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
