James and Ola Jordan Confirm Split After 20 Years of Marriage

Q: After surviving a grueling three-year IVF journey, what finally broke this beloved Strictly couple's 20-year marriage behind closed doors?

There is no confirmed single cause. Publicly, the split has been described as the result of a marriage that had been under strain for some time, with the couple deciding they could “no longer make it work” after months of “open and honest discussions.” Reporting around the separation points to several pressures behind closed doors rather than one dramatic trigger. Sources cited by UK outlets said “things have changed” over time and that “things came to a head recently.” One recurring detail was that James “hadn’t been in a good place for quite a while,” suggesting his personal struggles played a role in the deterioration of the relationship. James and Ola had also been candid in the past about the difficulties of long-term marriage, saying it required constant work and was “not all beautiful.” They had spoken openly about the strain of parenthood, their grueling three-year IVF journey before welcoming daughter Ella in 2020, and lifestyle changes after becoming parents, including weight gain and pressure on intimacy. None of that amounts to a confirmed definitive reason for the breakup, and neither James nor Ola has publicly blamed any one issue. What is established is that, after a trial separation, they chose to part ways while prioritizing co-parenting Ella and asking for privacy.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 8

A manager said James and Ola Jordan began a trial separation some time ago, confirming the breakup after more than two decades together.
The couple said their priority is co-parenting daughter Ella and protecting her wellbeing as they navigate the separation.
Ola, 42, and James, 48, married in October 2003 after becoming dance partners in 2000, with Ola moving to England shortly after they teamed up.
The pair became familiar faces on Strictly Come Dancing—James from 2006 to 2013 and Ola until 2015—making their split notable to long-time viewers.