Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has spoken candidly about the difficult period he has been facing since separating from his wife and longtime dance partner Ola Jordan.

Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, the 48-year-old revealed that he moved out of the couple’s family home several months ago and now spends many evenings alone in a one-bedroom flat.

“It’s been a tough few years. I moved out a few months ago,” James told presenters Angela Scanlon and Craig Doyle.

He added that he did not want to discuss the breakup in too much detail while Ola was not present.

“I find it hard to talk about and I’m not going to speak about it too much because I don’t think it’s fair when she’s not here as well.”

James says support from friends has been vital

James appeared on the programme while promoting Manopause, his new podcast with fellow former Strictly professional Brendan Cole.

During the interview, Brendan said he had been checking in on James every day, something James described as an important source of support during recent months.

“Knowing that people are out there you can talk to… otherwise I’m sitting in a one bedroom apartment on my own at night watching TV going ‘what is going on?’”

James also addressed reports that he had told Ola he needed space before leaving the couple’s five-bedroom family home in Kent.

“I just feel I need that time to find myself again,” he said, acknowledging that some people might view the decision as selfish.

The dancer said the new podcast, which focuses on men’s mental health, has also given him a way to speak more openly about difficult experiences.

He hopes the conversations will not only help men but also give their partners greater insight into the struggles they may be dealing with.

“Women can watch and listen and hear what struggles men are going through and they might relate to that with their husband or their other half,” he explained.

Couple confirmed separation after 26 years together

James and Ola, 43, had been together for 26 years.

They first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999, initially becoming professional dance partners before their relationship turned romantic. They married in 2003.

Earlier this month, they confirmed in a joint statement that they were taking time apart after a trial separation, with James having moved out of the family home some time earlier.

The pair said they decided to address the situation publicly after reports about their marriage prompted messages from people asking whether everything was all right.

“After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing,” their statement began.

They said they wanted the update to come directly from them rather than allowing speculation to define what was happening.

“At the moment we’re taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges,” they said. “This has been an incredibly painful and emotional journey for us both and it certainly wasn’t an easy decision.”

Daughter Ella remains their priority

James and Ola share a six-year-old daughter, Ella, whom they welcomed in February 2020 through IVF after a three-year fertility struggle.

In their statement, the couple stressed that their daughter remains at the center of every decision they make.

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

They added that they are committed to co-parenting her with love, care and stability.

James also addressed his emotional wellbeing in the statement, saying he had been struggling more than people realized and needed time to get himself into a healthier place for both himself and Ella.

“Neither of us is in a good place right now,” the couple said, describing the separation as one of the hardest periods of their lives.

They added that they do not yet know what the future will look like and are taking matters one day at a time.

James previously spoke about severe anxiety after losing his father

James has discussed mental health struggles publicly before.

Following the death of his father Allan in 2021, he said grief left him dealing with severe anxiety and feelings of weakness. He also described waking in panic and believing someone had broken into his home.

At the time, James said his family, particularly Ola, had helped him through that dark period, while he described daughter Ella as a “Godsend.”

Following the couple’s latest statement, fans responded with messages of support, with some expressing hope that James and Ola might eventually find their way back to one another.

Their Strictly years

James and Ola became well known to British audiences after joining Strictly Come Dancing as professional dancers in 2006.

James remained on the BBC One competition until 2013, leaving after series 11. Ola stayed for another two years before departing at the end of series 13 in 2015.

For now, both have said they are focused on navigating their separation privately while prioritizing their daughter and their own wellbeing.