James Jordan has been spotted for the first time since news broke of his split from his wife Ola. The former Strictly Come Dancing professional was seen heading to the shops near his home in Kent.
It was announced on Friday that Strictly's longest-standing couple, who started dating in 1999 and married in 2003, had split. Ola, 43, and James, 48, who share six-year-old daughter Ella, decided to end their relationship for good after a trial separation "some time ago," with James moving out of their Kent family home.
Stepping out, James broke cover as he headed to the shops to pick up some bits. Donning a black sleeveless hoodie and shorts, the dancer had ditched his wedding ring as he collected two large Disney Princess shopping bags and made his way back to his car.
He showed the strain of his marriage breakdown as he was seen puffing on a cigarette, having quit the habit to honour his late father Allan's dying wish. James revealed in 2022 that he had stopped smoking after 27 years.
Why James Jordan quit smoking
The dancer had candidly admitted that his "hero" had urged him to stop so he could be around to see daughter Ella grow up. Despite his physically demanding role as a dancer, James had smoked a minimum of 20 cigarettes a day for nearly three decades, but told the Daily Mail that his father and daughter were the only inspiration he needed to quit cold turkey.
James said: "It upsets me now to say it actually but I remember my dad saying to me, 'I'm so sad I'm not gonna see your daughter grow up.' And it just hit home really, 'What am I doing smoking these bloody cigarettes? I don't need to do this. If my dad can go what he's going through, I can quit smoking for my daughter,' and that's what I did."
James's father Allan died in March 2021 after battling a stage four brain tumour, a glioblastoma. The tragedy came 13 months after James welcomed daughter Ella with Ola.
Living apart before the split
James's outing comes after it was revealed that he and Ola were reportedly living apart for months before announcing they had split. Sources claim James told Ola he "needed space" and had been living alone in a flat in Kent after moving out of their five-bedroom marital home.
A source told The Sun: "It was James's decision to move out, he needed some space. It happened months ago. He has been holed up in a small flat in Kent." The source added: "These past few months have been tough for James but he is trying to keep moving forward. Ola has been supporting him as best she can but their decision to end their marriage has been incredibly difficult for both of them."
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for James and Ola Jordan for comment.
The couple's joint statement
In a shared statement released this weekend, James explained that his "mental health hasn't been in a good place for quite some time." The statement read: "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 statement continued: "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. (James) moved out of the family home some time ago. This has been an incredibly painful and emotional journey for us both and it certainly wasn't an easy decision."
They said their "absolute priority" is daughter Ella: "Our absolute priority, now and always, is our beautiful daughter Ella. She's at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to co-parenting her with all the love, care and stability she deserves."
James added: "Speaking personally (James) my mental health 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 into a healthier place, both for myself and for Ella. 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."
The statement concluded: "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. We're incredibly grateful for the love, kindness and concern so many of you have shown us over the years."
Past struggles and how the couple met
James has previously spoken about battling crippling anxiety following his father's death in 2021. He said at the time that his grief made him feel extremely weak, that he woke up panicked thinking someone had broken into his house, and that he experienced severe anxiety. Citing his daughter as a godsend, James said his family, specifically Ola, had pulled him out of that dark time.
Fans commented on the news, with one writing: "Take care & look after yourself & I hope you both can find each other again," and another simply writing: "Sending love."
James and Polish-born Ola first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999. They were initially dance partners before their professional relationship developed into romance, and James proposed two years later, with the couple marrying in October 2003.
They welcomed daughter Ella in February 2020 via IVF following a three-year fertility battle. The pair shot to fame as professionals on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, which they both joined in series four in 2006. James left the show after season 11 in 2013, while Ola left at the end of series 13 in 2015.
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