Strictly Pro Ola Jordan Says Ex-Husband James Had Affair With Colleague

Ola Jordan, a professional dancer on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, accused her former partner James Jordan of an affair with another dancer. Jordan, 44, said she learned of the alleged relationship through a phone call from Jamie Cutler. Cutler is the former partner of Russian professional dancer Polina Mayer. The disclosure occurred last week, following the couple's announcement of their split in August 2026.

The primary claim rests on the account provided by a source to The Sun. That source stated that Cutler called Jordan out of the blue to deliver the news. Cutler allegedly told Jordan that Mayer and James were sleeping together. He further claimed that Mayer had cheated on him with James. Jordan reportedly felt like her world was imploding upon hearing the news. She described herself as completely devastated after 22 years of marriage.

Jordan then confronted James, 48, regarding Cutler's claims. She told him she wanted the truth. According to the source, James played the situation down and tried to dismiss her concerns. During this confrontation, James allegedly informed Jordan that he was filing for divorce. The source noted that Jordan’s head was spinning and that she remained in a state of shock following the exchange.

James' relationship with Mayer began after both men separated from their respective partners. A spokesperson for James confirmed to The Sun on Sunday that the couple had grown closer in recent weeks. The statement said, “I can confirm that James and Polina have grown closer in recent weeks since separating from their respective partners.” This timeline suggests the relationship developed concurrently with the breakdown of Jordan's marriage.

Mayer, 34, frequently works with James as his partner on The Legends in Vegas: After Hours tour. The touring group features other Strictly icons, including Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone, and Ian Waite. Their professional collaboration provides a regular setting where the two dancers spend time together. Jordan first joined Strictly in 2006 and left the show in 2015. She and James began dating in 1999 and married in 2003.

The couple announced their separation in a joint statement released in August. They identified their main priority as co-parenting their six-year-old daughter, Ella. The statement acknowledged 26 years together and described the split as an incredibly painful journey. It noted that James had moved out of the family home some time ago. The pair said they were taking time apart to work through difficult personal challenges. They emphasized that they were taking things one day at a time for the benefit of their family.

Jordan previously reflected on the split on social media. She described the summer as incredibly tough. She credited Ella for being her source of strength during the uncertainty. Jordan wrote that spending time with her daughter provided her greatest comfort. She described Ella as her little ray of sunshine through her darkest days. The dancers' representatives have been contacted for further comment.

The dispute centers on the timing and disclosure of the new relationship. Jordan argues she was kept in the dark until Cutler intervened. James' camp maintains the relationship formed only after the respective separations. The situation has added a layer of personal conflict to the already high-profile split. Both parties continue to navigate the transition while managing their public profiles and touring commitments. The outcome of the divorce filings will determine the legal separation of the couple's assets and custody arrangements.