James Jordan denies affair claims as estranged wife Ola says 'worst fears confirmed'

James Jordan is back in the headlines, not for his dancing, but for a very personal drama that has left his estranged wife Ola Jordan "utterly devastated". According to the Daily Mail ^[1], Ola has accused James of having an affair with Russian dancer Polina Mayer, claiming her "worst fears have been confirmed". James has denied the allegations, which come just months after the couple announced the end of their 22-year marriage.

While this is his most personal scandal yet, the 48-year-old has long been branded Strictly Come Dancing's original "bad boy". His career was defined by a fiery temper and an endless appetite for confrontation, as noted by the Daily Mail ^[1]. From explosive clashes with judges to bitter celebrity fallouts, James has never been afraid to speak his mind.

His time on the BBC dancefloor was marked by tension. After reports of clashes with judge Craig Revel Horwood, the BBC offered him a reduced role. He turned it down, leaving in 2014 with a pointed social media post asking, "So why sack me?". He also joked that he would not be returning to "BURN THE FLOOR," correcting himself to say "Strictly Come Dancing."

But his reputation for drama predates his exit. In 2024, clips from the BBC spin-off It Takes Two resurfaced, showing James training actress Georgina Bouzová. The footage revealed his intense coaching style, including banning her from sweets and supervising her grocery shopping. He was heard shouting "Come on chubby" and calling her a "lazy cow" when she struggled with sit-ups. James later defended the footage, stating it was edited for entertainment and that he never received complaints from his dance partners.

James also courted controversy on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, where he was accused of bullying Gary Busey. He denied the charge but did engage in a bitter spat with boxer Audley Harrison, telling him his career was "washed up". He later won Dancing on Ice in 2019, though he had previously taken savage swipes at his co-stars on Twitter. During rehearsals, he had a heated argument with Gemma Collins, which he later said was resolved when she apologised.

As the affair allegations swirl, James's history suggests that while he may deny wrongdoing, his life has rarely been quiet. Whether these new claims mark the end of his public feud or just another chapter, fans are watching closely.