James Jordan receives glowing defence from former BBC Strictly star after slapping down bullying claims
Vanessa Feltz danced with James Jordan in 2013
BBC/ITV
Strictly Come Dancing's James Jordan, 46, has received a glowing endorsement from former partner Vanessa Feltz, 62, who insisted he was "incredibly patient".
Jordan recently took to his social media account to defend himself after a clip resurfaced that showed him calling partner Georgina Bouzova "fat" - but explained that the clip was edited together for It Takes Two for "entertainment purposes".
Posting an image of the pair of them training alongside a lengthy statement, Jordan explained: "I just wanted to reassure you that footage was shot and edited together by the BBC team for transmission on It Takes Two 18 years ago in specific ways for the purposes of ENTERTAINMENT.
"The BBC thought it would be fun to put this VT together in the way they did. You can see Georgina laughing about it in the studio and in the clips... And I have never received ANY complaints from any of my celebrity dance partners in the 8 years I was on the show."
There are no allegations standing against Jordan from any of the celebrities he was partnered with on the show.
Feltz has come out and praised Jordan, speaking highly of their time together, adding that he and his wife Ola Jordan are now "very good friends" of hers.
Vanessa Feltz and James Jordan were booted out of the competition in week two
BBC
She told Closer: "I think people thought James and I - as we're both big characters - would rub each other up the wrong way, but in fact, we got on famously.
"I really wasn't very good, but James was incredibly patient, never got annoyed, and showed me how to do things 20 times if I'd need to - and even then I'd usually forget it.
"He'd even bring Ola in to help if I still couldn't get something. And James and Ola are now very good friends of mine. In fact, I was one of the first people Ola told when she was pregnant!"
Jordan's wife Ola has found herself dragged into the current saga after it emerged that Steve Backshall, 51, complained about the dancer back in 2014.
— James Jordan (@The_JamesJordan) July 17, 2024
The wildlife presenter complained that he'd found his dance partner to be "rude and impatient" which undermined his confidence - claims that she has not addressed.
However, Jordan was quick to stand up for his wife after a Strictly fan sarcastically joked that he is constantly living in fear whilst living with and being married to her.
The post read: "@The_OlaJordan stands 5'4" tall and weighs the same as a Pringle packet, she can reduce hardened explorers to tears.
"She's the dance floor assassin @bbcstrictly and we need a fund me page for poor @The_JamesJordan who must live in terror daily."
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Ola Jordan was also brought into the bullying row
BBC
James shared a screenshot of the tweet on his Instagram Story and wrote over the top: "Please!!! Someone help me" alongside a distressed face emoji. (sic)
The claims surrounding Strictly Come Dancing professionals began after Amanda Abbington alleged she had PTSD from her time with Giovanni Pernice.
Pernice has since been axed from the show but denied any suggestion of "threatening or abusive" behaviour.
Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima was sacked after an investigation found he had "kicked" his former partner Zara McDermott during their rehearsals last year.