Strictly Come Dancing’s Ola Jordan has become the latest former professional to have a complaint made about her teaching techniques after Steve Backshall noted she was “cold and distant” during his time on the show.
Backshall first became overwhelmed with the eight hours a day, five-days-a-week rehearsal schedule and initially called for support with Jordan to the BBC.
At the time of their partnership, a show source said: “Steve is a very bouncy personality, up for any challenge, but Ola’s harsh treatment has flattened him and made him lose confidence. She was very rude and impatient when he found it difficult to master the shapes.
“Her choreography and tuition were so tough. Steve resorted to asking other people to show him what he had to do. Ola is a cold and very distant personality, who refuses to mix with Steve’s family and friends.”
The Daily Mail reported the complaint was lodged after their Halloween-themed Charleston dance, with another insider telling The Daily Mirror at the same time: “Steve has been telling people he can’t wait to get back to the day job, he really isn’t enjoying himself and has been really troubled by the show process.
“He has spent years tackling wild animals but Ola is one tough cookie he cannot crack. In front of the camera and when they are out they act like friends but behind closed doors they still aren’t getting on.
James Jordan sarcastically hit back at Steve Backshall’s claims
“He can’t wait to get back to his adventures and do his own thing.”
Backshall also spoke to the Daily Mail and noted that he was unable to point the toes on his left foot because his ankle was fused in a near-fatal climbing accident in 2008.
He revealed he was in “constant pain” during training and took painkillers every day, adding: “It has absolutely broken me. You are training all day long on hard wooden floors wearing dance shoes that have no give in them at all, and no cushioning.
“The impact travels straight all the way through my body and I’m just falling apart.”
Ola Jordan and Steve Backshall were paired together in 2014
BBC
The comments have resurfaced due to the ongoing investigations against Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima, Anton Du Beke and one unnamed female professional, leaving James Jordan to defend his wife.
On X, user Chris Sulli Esq. penned: “@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.”
Jordan screenshotted the post and added it to his Instagram story where he sarcastically penned: “Please!! Someone help me.”
James Jordan and Ola Jordan have stood united throughout the BBC investigations
GETTY
Former footballer Robbie Savage also jumped to her defence and said: “I danced with Ola for a year and she was a great teacher and I got on really well with her. My wife and kids liked her, she was a great teacher and wonderful to work with.”
Last Monday, Jordan weighed into the Di Prima scandal, writing on X: “Just seen another pro dancer is not coming to Strictly – again for apparent abusive behaviour. What is going on?”