Ola

FORMER Strictly pro James Jordan secretly lived apart from his wife Ola for months prior to their split.

Pals said he moved into a flat earlier this year close to the five-bedroom house the dancers once shared.

James, 48, is said to have “needed space” as he and Ola, 43, embarked on a trial separation after 22 years of marriage.

A source explained: “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.

“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.”

James was photographed looking downcast as he walked close to his flat last week, minus his wedding ring.

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We revealed on Saturday how the couple, who have not been photographed together since last year, had split.

James, originally from Gillingham, and Polish-born Ola, who have a daughter, Ella, then released a joint statement confirming their break-up.

It read: “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.”

It said James’s mental health “hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time”.

James added: “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.”

James and Ola both joined Strictly in 2006.

James quit in 2013 with Ola leaving two years later, after winning the trophy in 2009 with Chris Hollins.

OLA and James Jordan described marriage as a “constant job” and opened up about sex life struggles years before their shock split. 

The former Strictly Come Dancing professionals confirmed they’d gone their separate ways after 23 years of marriage this week. 

Ola, 43, and James, 48, share daughter Ella, six, and previously spoke out about what it takes to make a relationship work. 

Speaking to HELLO!, he  said: “We’ve got a beautiful daughter and as my dad always used to say, and it’s true, ‘Marriage can be like a job sometimes, you’ve got to work at it’. 

“I feel sometimes people are quick to give up on something and think the grass is always greener on the other side.”

James also joked that “marriage and wives” are some of the most stressful things to deal with in life. 

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And Ola confessed that when they’re working together on dance routines they “argue the most”. 

She said: “James has his idea and I’ve got another idea and we clash more than we do any other time.” 

In recent years Ola and James lost a combined seven stone and admitted that when they were bigger their sex life suffered.

Speaking to The Sun in 2022 ahead of their weight loss journeys, Ola said: “The sex life is definitely different, if not worse, because we are so fat and don’t want to move after a bag of crisps and a Chinese.

“The bellies get in the way of us when it comes to sex. And I’m a bit heavy now. It’s not as exciting.”

James added: “Sex is definitely not better with the mum and dad bods. I can’t throw her about any more like I am used to doing.

“So we realise we need to switch up our eating habits to get back in shape.”