IT seems like every day there’s some new drama around Strictly – and the first live show hasn’t even happened yet.
Now former pro James Jordan has stirred the pot even further with a series of explosive claims about both the dancers and the celeb contestants. Here, he dishes the dirt…
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The 47-year-old, who was known as one of the ‘bad boys of the ballroom’ during his eight years on Strictly, has told us he knows that some of this year’s pros are using fat jabs – just days after we revealed that a third of the celebs on series are also injecting.
James – along with wife and fellow former Strictly pro Ola – has transformed his physique in recent years thanks to an exercise regime, which the couple showcased in their own fitness programme, Dance Shred.
But he is now worried some of the pros on Strictly – as well as the celebrities – are going to extreme lengths to look their best for the show.
James said: “The jabs weren’t out when Ola and I lost the weight.
There will definitely be an element of resentment because everyone is out for themselves most of the time in life, aren’t they?
James Jordan
“I understand why some people do (use jabs) if they don’t have the discipline to do what I do – go to the gym every day.
“I’m not against the jabs but I do worry about the long-term effects on them.”
“I have heard that there are professional dancers on the show that have used the jabs.
“I find it bizarre, especially because nearly every single professional Latin and Ballroom dancer I know has super, super discipline.
“But you know, if that’s what people want to do it’s their choice, their body, and if it makes them feel good then kudos to them.
“But I personally wouldn’t want to do it.”
The jabs were originally devised to combat Type 2 diabetes but have become incredibly popular among the rich and famous.
Strictly stars who’ve been forced to pull out
Here is a full list of stars who have been forced to quit the long-running BBC show
Dani Dyer (series 23) – forced to pull out of the competition after suffering an ankle injury in rehearsals
Kristian Nairn (series 23) – forced to pull out of the competition on medical grounds
Nick Knowles (series 22) – eliminated from the show following injury
Amanda Abbington (series 21) – pulled out of the competition due to “personal reasons”
Tony Adams (series 20) – pulled out of the competition after sustaining an injury
Nicola Adams (series 18) – axed after partner Katya Jones tested positive for COVID-19
Will Bayley (series 17) – pulled out of the competition after sustaining a knee injury
Jamie Laing (series 17) – pulled out of the competition after suffering a foot injury in rehearsals
Will Young (series 14) – quit the show after struggles with mental and physical health
Jade Johnson (series 7) – pulled out after suffering a knee injury in rehearsals
John Sergeant (series 6) – quit the show despite public popularity after flailing in the leaderboards
Kell Brook (series 5) – pulled out following the death of her father Kenneth
Jimmy Tarbuck (series 4) – pulled out following doctors advice
Among those who have admitted taking them are actress Rebel Wilson, Tesla tycoon Elon Musk and chat-show queen Oprah Winfrey.
The Sun previously revealed how celebs on the jabs risk exhaustion by consuming too few calories for the extensive training they have to do.
A TV insider told us: “Talk is rife backstage about who has been using them.”
Five of the 15 stars, who we are not naming, are believed to be taking the weight-loss medication, or have recently completed weeks of dosing ahead of the show’s launch this month.
The BBC is unaware of who could be on the jabs since competitors are not obliged to say what medications they are taking.
‘Everyone is out for themselves’
A TV insider said: “Although the show’s execs are unaware as to who the stars in question are, talk is rife backstage about who has been using the drugs.
“That has placed everyone in a heightened state, with many wondering how it will affect how the celebs will dance over the coming months.
“Using the jabs in combination with a reasonable amount of exercise is seen as a good thing, but what is required of contestants on Strictly is next level.
“The BBC will continue with their normal protocols which see them closely monitor the health of the contestants throughout the time they are on the show, with any sign they’re unwell or struggling physically acted upon immediately.”
During his eight series on Strictly, James had a celebrity partner every year, from sports presenter Gabby Logan to Footballer’s Wives actress Zoe Lucker.
While he never managed to lift the Glitterball trophy, he made it to two finals; finishing third with Pamela Stephenson in 2010 and runner up with Denise Van Outen in 2012.
Speaking about the competitiveness among the Strictly pros, James – who is working with Freebets.com, said there would be resentment from the four pros who didn’t get partners this year.
Neil Jones, Nancy Xu, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Luba Mushtuk all missed out this year, and some have made their feelings on the situation clear.
James said: “Even if you’ve got friends on there at the end of the day you want to get a partner, there’s no doubt that you want to get a partner.
“So there will definitely be an element of resentment because you you know, everyone is out for themselves most of the time in life, aren’t they? Whatever anyone says.”
DEADWOOD
“I do feel sorry for the ones that don’t get partners, but I also feel that next year for example, I think there should be a much bigger shakeup with the professional dancers because I personally feel there’s a lot of deadwood on there.
“Some people have been on there a long time. They’ve been given their chance but they’re maybe not performing as well as perhaps they should be, so bring in some new fresh blood.”
James, who still cares deeply about the show despite leaving 12 years ago, didn’t mince his words when it came to the current batch of pros.
And he also pointed the finger at Strictly bosses for not being brave enough to change things up.
He said: “I think nowadays, the BBC is sometimes worried to get rid of certain people because of the whole mental health thing.
Change a couple of the judges as well because I’m getting a bit bored of some of them.”
James Jordan
“I see on people’s Instagrams, all ‘Strictly is my life, I don’t know what I’d do without it”, and then you get the phone call to say you’re not coming back.
“Which is how it happened in our day, it was very cutthroat.
“But I do feel as a viewer now when I watch it, there’s a lot of the pros that I think, ‘It’s time for you to hang up the shoes, you don’t look as hungry for it any more.
“There’s quite a lot. I would say if they cut 50 per cent of the pros and brought in new ones, I think it would be a good thing.”
James also took aim at the judging panel, which consists of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
He said: “I think it would fresh the show up a bit, maybe change a couple of the judges as well because I’m getting a bit bored of some of them.”
NO BITTERNESS HERE
Before anyone can say James’ comments come from a place of bitterness, he has an answer for them.
He said: “You know what makes me laugh is, I left the show 12 years ago and whenever I give my comments on it, if I say something people don’t like they say ‘Oh don’t listen to James Jordan, he’s being really bitter again.
“I’m not bitter. I genuinely love the show. So when I watch it, I watch it from a professional dancer’s point of view and I watch it as an artistic thing.
“‘How could you make the show better?’ I am very honest, but I think i this day and age that we live in now, some people don’t like the honesty.”
When asked about whether any pros were on fat jabs, a BBC spokesman said: “Whilst we would not comment on personal matters of this nature, we are not aware of anything to support these claims.”
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Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, September 27 at 6.55pm on BBC One.
