How Strictly's James Jordan has lived up to his 'bad boy' label with a series of spats and scandals - as estranged wife Ola 'accuses him of an affair'

James Jordan was once branded Strictly Come Dancing's original 'bad boy', known for his fiery temper and a seemingly endless appetite for drama.

The 48-year-old dancer, who spent eight years on the BBC dancefloor, has rarely been one to shy away from confrontation. 

From explosive clashes with judges and bitter celebrity fallouts to controversial TV appearances and social media outbursts, James has built a reputation as a man who has never been afraid to speak his mind.

But now he is at the centre of perhaps his most personal drama yet following explosive allegations from his estranged wife Ola Jordan about his relationship with Russian dancer Polina Mayer.

Ola, 44, told HELLO! that her 'worst fears have been confirmed' and admitted she was 'utterly devastated' following reports of James's alleged involvement with Polina – which he has denied.

The allegations come just months after James and Ola announced the end of their 22-year marriage.

But while the latest drama has brought James's private life under intense scrutiny, it is certainly not the first time the dancer has found himself at the centre of a media storm. Here is a look back at his many scandals.

Strictly's James Jordan continues to live up to his 'bad boy' reputation after a series of spats as his estranged wife Ola 'accuses him of having an affair'

Last week, reports emerged that James had an affair with glamorous Russian dancer Polina Mayer, and Ola's world is said to have 'imploded' when she received a call from Polina's dancer husband Jamie Cutler to tell her of the alleged infidelity (James and Ola in 2013)

James first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, quickly becoming one of the show's most outspoken professional dancers.

While his competitive streak helped him stand out, it also earned him a reputation as a fiery character.

But after reports of clashes with judge Craig Revel Horwood, the BBC confirmed James had been offered a reduced role.

This would have seen him appear in special episodes rather than compete with a celebrity partner.

He turned down the offer after appearing in series eleven and did not return to the show in 2014.

However, he had an issue with the way his exit was presented.

When the show's official X account posted a goodbye message, James reposted it with the pointed question: 'So why sack me?'

He also said: 'I WILL NOT be returning to BURN THE FLOOR.... Sorry, I mean 'Strictly Come Dancing.'

His departure from the show marked the end of his time as a professional on the competition, but certainly not the end of his relationship with scandals.

In 2024, almost a decade after leaving the show, unearthed footage of his 'fiery' temperament resurfaced.

The clips, originally shown on the BBC's spin-off programme It Takes Two in 2006, showed him training actress Georgina Bouzová.

The pro dancer banned his co-star from eating chocolates and sweets during her stint on Strictly – and would supervise her grocery shopping to make sure she only bought ham and pineapple.

In footage that has resurfaced, Georgina told the camera '[he] thinks I'm a bit of a porker' after James shouted: 'Come on chubby.'

After being 'caught' eating, Georgina is next seen doing sit ups with James shouting: 'Come on, come on.'

As she struggles to pull herself up, James scolds: 'Put your hands on your temples you lazy cow. Come on fat belly.'

In another piece to camera, James warned that unless actress Georgina broke a rib, he didn't care how much pain she was in. 

He said: 'Unless she's actually physically broken a rib, I don't care...kill you, stand on your left leg. Unless her feet are bleeding, I don't care. If they're sore, dance through it.'

The Casualty star could then be seen struggling to stand on one leg as James said he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves.

At one point she walked out of the studio in tears with James following saying: 'We've got no time for crying.'

The actress complained: 'It's just not the right way to work.'

He is also seen throwing a chair across the room in an apparent rage.

James later responded to controversy surrounding the video urging viewers not to conflate his actions with those of his colleagues who have allegedly been violent towards their celebrity co-stars.

He added: '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.'

But while the latest drama has brought James's private life under intense scrutiny, it is certainly not the first time the dancer has found himself at the centre of a media storm (pictured on Strictly in 2006)

Unearthed footage showed James telling his dance partner Georgina Bouzová he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves

But Strictly was not the only scandal James found himself in.

During his first stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, he was accused of bullying American actor Gary Busey.

Big Brother formally called Jordan into the Diary Room and gave him a telling-off but the dancer denied that he was bullying.

He also engaged in a bitter verbal spat with boxer Audley Harrison, where he told him that his boxing career was 'washed up' and that he should retire.

James then went on to star on Dancing on Ice in 2019, where he ultimately won the series alongside partner Alexandra Schauman.

Prior to appearing on the show, resurfaced tweets written by the dancer popped up, showing him taking savage swipes at four of his future Dancing on Ice co-stars. 

During rehearsals for the series, Jordan and Gemma Collins got into a heated backstage argument.

James later revealed that they had a major disagreement because he felt Gemma was unequivocally 'in the wrong about something' regarding how she was acting.

However, James later publicly praised Gemma for recognising she was wrong, coming back to apologise, and clearing the air immediately.

After winning the show, James admitted to The Sun: 'Everybody thinks I'm this outspoken, arrogant person, but I just like winding people up. I'm actually quite a good person.'

But then came the spats with other stars and social media users.

Just after his exit he critiqued EastEnders star Rose in his Hello column following her Frozen-themed Quickstep from Musicals Week.

He wrote: 'Their dance was a perfect example of when the theme of the musical takes over from the quality of the dancing.' 

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood jumped to Rose's defence, proclaiming: 'She is not average at all.' 

Making a dig at James, the judge said: 'I think he is obviously just trying to make headlines and get a job as a judge.

'Oh my god, he has always wanted that. He's desperate for my job... but he'll never get it.'

Long before Strictly introduced same-sex pairings, James sparked outrage on social media by posting that having two people of the same gender dance together was 'wrong'. 

He argued that Ballroom and Latin are strictly about 'masculinity and femininity'.   

Strictly was not the only scandal James found himself in (pictured on Dancing on Ice)

During his first stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, he was accused of bullying American actor Gary Busey

When viewers called him an 'absolute disgrace' on X, he doubled down on his stance, and claimed same-sex couples would be treated as 'joke couples' on the show.

In 2015, James called Danny Dyer a 'kept man' after he was dropped from Strictly. 

But things got heated after Danny posted a picture of James striking a thumbs up pose alongside his then-wife Ola.

The Mick Carter actor tweeted: 'That moment when your wife pays the mortgage and utility bills. #keptman @The_JamesJordan.'

James quickly retaliated: 'Don't forget the holidays and cars. Unlike you she didn't stick all her money up her nose.' 

Danny quipped: 'Hahahaha. Who's on the fishing line now?????'

To which former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Jordan replied: 'I love how Malcolm Smith AKA @MrDDyer is so obsessed he has even started googling pictures of me I love this game!!!!'

In 2022, James entered a tense back and forth on X with head judge Shirley Ballas over claims that past and present Russian dancers haven't shown enough support for Ukraine.

The pro, who had slammed Russian dancers for remaining tight-lipped in the wake of their country's invasion of the Baltic state, noted that Shirley had questioned his decision to speak out despite clearly having a 'similar sentiment' to him.

It comes in the wake of Russian Strictly pro Kristina Rihanoff's apology after she wrote she didn't give a s**t about the war,' in a controversial X post.

James had previously tweeted: 'I don't see many of the Russian dancers I know and have even shared the Strictly dance floor with them openly speaking out about the war against Ukraine [the country's flag]. 

'But are still promoting themselves on social media – very disappointed [sad face] They know who they are – not 1 post about it [sic].' 

In a later tweet he then noted: 'If they are too scared to speak out against wrong then stay the f**k off social media for a while and stop with the self-promotion during this horrific time.

'Have some respect. Or… maybe they are not speaking out because they are brainwashed too.'

Shirley then responded to James's tweet, writing: 'Dear James, not sure who you follow and who follows you. Many dancers I know have retweeted in support of Ukraine and have felt shame at their own government.

'Lots of help for their fellow dancers. Lots have spoken out and retweeted.'

But James was then quick to note that just a day earlier Shirley herself had taken to social media pleading with dancers to 'show some sensitivity towards the suffering Ukraine'.

He tweeted: 'Why post this yesterday then? A similar sentiment to me.'

Shirley's original post read: 'Dancers please, just for a few days show some sensitivity towards the suffering in Ukraine... you don't need to promote yourselves, your shows, competitions and teaching every single day...

'Your colleagues, students, competitors and their families are in the middle of a shocking war and need your support... YOUR business can wait. Show some respect. We are one family. '

In 2023, James revealed he had been blocked on social media by Jeremy Vine.

The professional dancer took a swipe at the BBC Radio 2 host after posting one of his many cycling videos on X - formerly Twitter. 

Jeremy posted a clip of his bike being run over by a van back in September and shared that he informed the police about the incident. 

He then gave an update to his followers, saying the driver had to attend a 'Safe and Considerate Driving Course'.

Jeremy said: 'I was blamed for this – a van hitting me in a cycle lane. So I took the footage to the police, and here is the outcome. Might help some Twitter-drivers understand the law better. Thanks and Happy Xmas to @metpoliceuk and all road safety units with British police who keep us safe.'

However, James quickly commented on Jeremy's video as he wrote: 'Driver wasn't prosecuted which says a lot. They are basically saying what he did was equivalent to going 34 in a 30 – and why does it ALWAYS happen to you Jeremy? Maybe it's you that needs to go for a road proficiency course. I NEVER have any of these problems when I cycle.'

The Jeremy Vine Show host took to his social media account once more where he added: 'Police asked me if I was happy with the driver education course, or whether I wanted to pursue prosecution. I said a course. Now you use it to "prove" the driver didn't do that much wrong. 1,700 people die every year on our roads and it's not a joke. Anyway, happy new year.'

While James quipped: 'So you don't think you are being an irritant? I cycle too but it's people like you that give cyclists a bad name. I NEVER EVER find myself in the situations you do (and on a daily basis AND on camera) Maybe it's you buddy – just a thought. But anyway – merry Christmas.'

Jeremy replied: 'I was backed into by a van. In a cycle lane. And you blame me. We're done here.'

As the feud escalated, James took to his own account where he shared a screenshot of Jeremy's profile.

It showed a message reading: '@theJeremyVine blocked you You are blocked from following @theJeremyVine and viewing @theJeremyVine's posts.'

Then came the comments about his estranged wife Ola, which landed him in hot water with fans

The professional dancer,who appeared on the BBC series alongside his wife, took to social media to bemoan her skills around the house

Then came the comments about his estranged wife Ola, which landed him in hot water with fans.

In 2022, he admitted he 'prefers' Ola when she's three stone lighter. 

Despite preferring a thinner Ola, James clarified that he 'still fancies' her, while his wife explained she felt the same way.

Asked if he fancies her less now that she's gained weight, James confessed: 'I will say I prefer Ola smaller. Of course I still love her and fancy her. It is what it is.

'She's the one now that has taken the steps to speak out about it, so if she then asked me, "Thinner or bigger?" I would say thinner.

'Does it make me a bad person? If it does, then I'm sorry but I think it makes me honest.'

He was then slammed by fans two years later after making a 'sexist' comment about Ola on X, where he took aim at her skills around the house.

He wrote: 'Hi guys Anyone know a decent ironing lady in the West Malling area – as my wife is s**t at it.'

Racing to the comments section fans were quick to blast the dancer with one exclaiming: 'Why don't you do the ironing then?'.

While others wrote: 'Learn to iron!': 'You should try your hand at it!': 'Try it yourself': 'Try being an ironing man': 'Can't you do it??': 'Why does it have to be an ironing "lady" lol and you can't iron yourself because?': 'Do it yourself?'.

Following the backlash James wrote: 'Well that last tweet went so much better than I thought it would.'

'Just to clarify i do my own ironing but I hate it – and Ola hates ironing too. We had an amazing lady who has now retired hence need someone else. We are in the West Malling Area. Fans'.

Before finally posting: 'Lastly – we are looking for an ironing "lady" not a "man" because although men are better we want to give a lady the opportunity because we are all about equality. Many thanks again for all your replies'.

James and Ola separated in June after 22 years of marriage and have been co-parenting their daughter Ella, six, since then.

Last week, reports emerged that James had an affair with glamorous Russian dancer Polina Mayer, and Ola's world is said to have 'imploded' when she received a call from Polina's dancer husband Jamie Cutler to tell her of the alleged infidelity.

Last week, reports emerged that James had an affair with glamorous Russian dancer Polina Mayer. He has insisted their relationship did not start before his split from Ola

Over the weekend Ola broke her silence, saying: 'As a woman you know these things in your gut but now my worst fears have been confirmed, I'm utterly devastated.'

The dancer still cannot come to terms with the romance, saying: 'I've not just lost my husband – I've lost my best friend and my business partner all in one go.

'It's difficult for me to describe what happened between us because this wasn't my decision. It came as a shock to me. These things often build up over a period of time and are not straightforward.'

Ola added in an interview with HELLO! magazine: 'I have no clue what the future holds and that's a scary place, but I'm trying to navigate it one day at a time.'

She explained that James moved out in June, two months before they released their statement, saying: 'It was traumatic. It felt as though he was giving up on us and that it was the beginning of the end. I have cried a lot of tears.

'I'm finding it very hard to move forward. I'm still very raw.

'The most challenging thing has been trying to come to terms with the fact that someone you have been with for 26 years has left you,' she said. 'I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It's traumatic. Acceptance is the hardest thing. I feel like a failure. I feel rejected and alone. It's a lot to get my head around.'

James told HELLO! magazine: 'Despite this difficult time for Ola and myself, we remain committed to co-parenting Ella and looking after her best interests at all times, and we will always work together to ensure her happiness.'

This week, a report by The Sun On Sunday claimed that Ola confronted her estranged husband James over fears he had an affair.

Polina and James have appeared in many dance videos together on their socials, especially during dance rehearsals for their tour, where she often rotates in as James's dance partner.

She is a professional champion dancer and also a dance teacher at AURA Dance Studios in Solihull, West Midlands.

An insider close to Ola claimed she was 'stunned' to receive such a call from Polina's husband.

Jamie who is a professional dancer on Belgium's version of Dancing With The Stars, is said to have told Ola he was filing for divorce.

The source said: 'Jamie called Ola out of the blue last week. He said Polina and James were sleeping together and that he believed Polina cheated on him with James.

'Ola was stunned, she said she felt like her whole world was imploding as he spoke. Jamie told her that she deserved to know what had been going on, he said she needed to know everything.'

The source added Ola then confronted James about Jamie's claims and told him she 'wanted the truth'.

They said: 'She said he played it down and tried to palm her off, Ola's head is spinning and she's completely devastated.'

However, those close to James have said his romance with Polina only began after the pair's split from both Ola and Jamie.

The Daily Mail has contacted James and Ola's representative for comment as well as Polina and Jamie.