James Jordan's Struggle with Grief Before Shocking Split from Ola – Revealing the Truth Behind His Strictly Dance Partner

FOR more than 26 years, James and Ola Jordan were one of the tightest couples in showbiz, but this weekend The Sun told how the Strictly favourites were over for good.

As fans are left reeling over the news, insiders tell us what was really going on behind closed doors as the– and the truth aboutclose friendship with one co-star, after it raised eyebrows.

Ola and James Jordan have split up and are now living apart Credit: Getty James struggled to come to terms with the death of his beloved dad Allan Credit: INSTAGRAM/JAMES JORDAN

While on social media it was business as usual for the pair – family photos, events and plugging their brand Dance Shred – the reality was rather different.

We’re told everything changed for the pair following the death of James’ father, Allan Jordan, who died on March 13, 2021, at the age of 67, following his battle with a stage-four brain tumor.

Sources close to the pair said: “James was never the same again following the loss of his dad.

“It affected his life more than he or anyone ever expected and it really took its toll on their relationship.

“James’ mental health has been suffering for a while, and more recently he spiralled. He is still very much dealing with his grief.”

The usually outspoken dancer struggled to address his loss.

He previously admitted: “It still feels really fresh, so for Ola, we don’t speak about it at home. I don’t talk about it, it’s bad maybe, but I don’t want to.

“I don’t want to speak about it because it just upsets me all the time.”

James, 48, and Ola, 43, tied the knot in 2003 and share a six-year-old daughter named Ella, who was conceived through IVF. She was born in 2020 following a widely publicised three-year fertility struggle.

Over the weekend, as news of the break-up was revealed, speculation mounted over his close friendship with his former dancer partner , 52. The pair reached the show’s final in December 2012 together.

Denise split from her husband Lee Mead following her stint on the reality show and James later spoke about helping her through that.

James, who danced on the show for eight years, said Ola kept his eyes from wandering. Talking of the relationship between the pros and their celeb partners, he told The Sun: “You’re very close. Day One, you come in, you just met them and you’re rubbing your crown jewels up against them.

“It’s normal in our world but not for everyone else and you’re so close to each other, dancing sexy, and there’s nice music and you’re training with each other for eight hours a day, so if there is a little bit of chemistry, something’s going to happen.”

But insiders tell us the friendship with Denise played no part in the break up, explaining: “Ola was used to James growing close to his Strictly co-stars and becoming friends with them. It was completely normal.

“He was on the show years ago and it has been over a decade since Denise, so that is the last thing on either of their minds. They are barely in touch these days anyway.”

After The Sun broke the news of the split, the pair confirmed their separation online.

In a post, they said: “After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing.

“Following recent reports in the press about our relationship and after receiving messages asking if everything is okay, we feel it’s important to speak directly rather than let speculation or hearsay tell our story.

The couple are both well known for their time on Strictly Credit: Rex James has been struggling in recent years with his mental health Credit: Rex

“We have always tried to be open and honest with the people who have supported us over the years and we feel it’s only right that this update comes from us.

“At the moment we’re taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges.”

The statement said James “moved out of the family home some time ago”, and explained that their separation has been “incredibly painful and emotional” and “wasn’t an easy decision”.

It continued: “Our absolute priority, now and always, is our beautiful daughter Ella. She’s at the centre of everything we do.

James had a close friendship with Denise Van Outen when they were paired together in 2012 Credit: PA:Press Association Ola was never worried about James’ friendships with his Strictly partners Credit: BBC

“We are committed to co-parenting her with all the love, care and stability she deserves.”

It also discussed James’ mental wellbeing, saying he “hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time”.

“I’ve been struggling more than I’ve let people see and I’m taking the time I need to focus on getting myself to a healthier place, both for myself and for Ella,” it added.

The statement continued: “Neither of us is in a good place right now.

“We’re both doing our best to navigate one of the hardest chapters of our lives and we ask that people remember there are real people and real emotions behind every headline, every comment and every post.

“We don’t know exactly what the future holds. For now, we’re taking things one day at a time, doing what we both believe is best for ourselves, our family, and most importantly Ella.”

The message concluded by thanking their followers, fans and supporters for “the love, kindness and concern” they have shown.

The Jordans have previously been open about navigating their long relationship, with James saying: “Marriage can be like a job sometimes, you’ve got to work at it.

“I feel sometimes people are quick to give up on something and think the grass is always greener on the other side.”

Polish-born Ola added: “It’s not all beautiful. Sometimes you can look at people’s posts think, ‘Oh they’ve got perfect lives’, but it’s not like that. No one’s got a perfect marriage. It’s a work in progress and if two people want to be together, they’ll make it happen.”

Speculation about the couple’s relationship started earlier this year, when their fans noticed they were spending less time together.

Last month James shared pictures with Ella at a movie premiere in London, but minus Ola.

Separately, Ola was pictured with Ella at the opening of Paw Patrol Land at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, with no sign of James. One of his followers commented: “Have they separated?” Another replied: “I was feeling the same. Very sad if they have. Love their little family.”

James and Ola downsized from their £2.5million Kent mansion to a five-bedroom home nearby in 2023.

They had been doing up the house and posting the results.

Friends said James and Ola’s split was still “fresh” and admitted they were unsure what the future would look like.

A source added: “James and Ola are thinking about Ella and how to support her through this. The family home will remain that while they decide what to do next.”

The pair met in 1999 at a dance competition in Blackpool before becoming professional partners.

They married in 2003 and in 2006 joined Strictly. James quit the show in June 2014, after turning down a lesser role offered by BBC bosses which would have seen him miss out on a celebrity partner.

Ola stayed on, but that year was caught in a bullying storm with her celeb partner, BBC wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. Steve later insisted he had not been bullied by Ola, with James blasting the BBC and claiming they kept quiet over the allegations because they wanted her to leave.

They later launched fitness programme Dance Shred, having piled on weight after becoming parents.

Ola confessed their weight gain almost saw them split, telling The Sun their “bellies” were getting in the way of their sex life.

She lost more than 3st and James almost 4st after overhauling their diet and exercise regimes.