Ola Jordan says her return to Strictly is ‘surreal’ after years of ‘incredible memories’ as she joins guests on It Takes Two following her departure 11 years ago after BBC ‘fallout’

DAILYMAIL.COM • 9h ago

By KIRSTEN MURRAY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER 11:21 10 Oct 2026, updated 11:25 10 Oct 2026

Ola Jordan has said her return to Strictly is ‘surreal’ as she starred as a guest on It Takes Two on Friday night after 11 years away from the show.

The professional dancer, 44, left the BBC show in 2015 after a reported fallout over the sacking of her now ex husband James Jordan the year before.

At the time she also accused the judges of over and under-marking routines in order to keep certain couples in the competition. The BBC denied her claims.

However it appears after 11 years Ola has let bygones be bygones as she joined former contestants Sarah Hadland and Dr Ranj on the sofa for It Takes Two.

The television appearance will mark a milestone moment for the star, who announced the end of her marriage to fellow Strictly pro James earlier this year.

Wowing in a sparkly brown cowl neck top and white miniskirt, Ola took to Instagram after the show with a series of snaps as she gushed: ‘It really does feel like coming home!’

She penned: ‘What a feeling to be back on @bbcstrictly after all these years!

‘Stepping back into the Strictly world has honestly felt so surreal. So many incredible memories, so many special people and such a huge part of my life was created here.

‘Thank you to Strictly for having me back and giving me the opportunity to be part of it again. It really does feel like coming home.’

Fans were also delighted to see Ola back as they took to Twitter writing: ‘Love seeing ola back on it takes two 11 years since ola was last part of strictly’;

‘Ola still looks amazing great to see her back’; ‘Ola Jordan is back’.

However her appearance also comes just weeks after she voiced her opinion on the primetime show and recently criticised the new hosts for having a ‘lack of chemistry’.

Ever since Strictly returned, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe have been heavily scrutinised after taking on the roles from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with ratings falling.

The BBC also failed to pull in as many viewers as they perhaps would have wanted, as 4.8million tuned in – down substantially on last year’s 6.2million for the first live show.

Giving her take on the new line-up, Ola told Mecca Bingo when the show returned: ‘It’s just so fresh at the moment. I think Emma is amazing and I would like her to talk more. I would like her to take over more. The other two, obviously, I think they’re still finding their feet.

‘It was a bit messy at times, with the links with Johannes Radebe for example. I think they just need to clean it all up and make it a bit cleaner for next time.

‘I think maybe Josh Widdicombe is really nervous still, so I think we’re not getting that comedy as we would like to. I think he needs to maybe warm up a bit more and maybe he’s just really nervous.’

Ola and James, 48, shocked fans when they released a joint statement in August, revealing that they were ending their relationship after 26 years together.

While James has addressed the split during an appearance on This Morning and his podcast Manopause, Ola recently broke her silence.

Taking to Instagram with a candid message, she wrote: ‘There have been moments this summer when my heart has felt heavier than I ever imagined it could.

‘Life has changed in ways I never expected, and some days have been incredibly tough.’

Praising the pair’s six-year-old daughter for helping her get through, she continued: ‘But through all of the uncertainty, one thing has remained constant, my beautiful girl Ella.

‘Spending these summer holidays with my baby girl, making memories, having cuddles, laughing until our tummies hurt and simply enjoying every precious moment together has been my greatest comfort.

‘She may not realise it now, but she has been my little ray of sunshine through some of my darkest days.

‘This summer hasn’t been the one I imagined, but I’m choosing to focus on what truly matters – her, our memories, and all the love between us.’

Thanking her family, friends and fans, she added: ‘And to everyone who has sent me messages, checked in on me, shown me kindness or simply reminded me that I’m not alone.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love and support have meant more to me than you will ever know.’

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