James and Ola Jordan put on a sweet display as they attended The Paddington Bear Experience with their daughter Ella.
The former Strictly professionals took to the orange carpet at the show held at London County Hall on Sunday.
The couple headed to the event with their daughter Ella, five, who they welcomed via IVF in 2020.
Taking to the carpet, Ola, 43, wore a long sleeved navy top with high-waisted skinny jeans and a pair of chunky boots.
Meanwhile James, 47, opted for a grey fitted sweater and navy slim jeans, as well as brown boots.
It comes hours after James, who appeared on the show between 2006 and 2013, called for the show to have a full shake-up – including axing HALF of the pros.
James and Ola Jordan put on a sweet display as they attended The Paddington Bear Experience with their daughter Ella in London on Sunday
James also ripped into the judging panel, claiming something needs to change as they have become ‘too woke’, and in particular called out long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood for ‘losing his harshness’.
James told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Now Tess and Claudia are leaving, it is time for a big shake-up. Let’s get rid of some of the judges, 50% of the pros, and bring back a brand new Strictly.
‘The only people you can’t get rid of, in my opinion, who are the nuts and bolts of the show are the costume department, the hair and makeup team, the prop guys, because they are so incredible. I worked with them during my time on Strictly, and they are still there now, the same team, and they are the best in the business.
‘Everyone else, I feel they are replaceable. 50% of the pros need to go next year. Get some fresh young ones in. There are lots of dancers in this country that are hungry for it. Let’s get some more British people on the show.’
It is clear that James is disappointed with the judges’ lack of hard-hitting criticism, and when asked if he has a judge in mind he would replace, he laughed, explaining: ‘I do, but I’m not going to tell you. I am very honest, but there are certain things I will keep to myself. I do feel that a different mix of judges could work better. It has all got a little bit panto for me now.’
The last time the judging panel was shaken up was back in 2022, when Anton Du Beke replaced Bruno Tonioli to join Motsi Mabuse, who joined in 2019 to replace Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, who joined in 2017 to replace the late Len Goodman, and original judge Craig.
Speaking about Craig, who is known for being the most brutal judge on the show, James said: ‘I feel he has lost his harshness. I liked Craig when he was… I just think everything finishes with a positive, and there’s nothing wrong with saying someone isn’t good at dancing if they aren’t a dancer.
‘It is a dance competition. They are there to judge the dancing, and I just feel it has become too woke for me. We need to go back to the old days. You don’t have to be horrible, but I want honesty. Constructive criticism, I think we need more of it.’
The former Strictly professionals took to the orange carpet at the show held at London County Hall on Sunday
Taking to the carpet, Ola, 43, wore a long sleeved navy top with high-waisted skinny jeans and a pair of chunky boots
Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday on behalf of Freebets.com, where he works as the entertainment betting expert, James shared who he thinks should replace Tess and Claudia: ‘I think Anton would be great. Maybe get him presenting and get me on the panel, that would be a good swap.
‘I just hope they get the best person for the job and don’t go down the box-ticking exercise that they often do. I just want the best person to take over from Tess and Claudia because they were so amazing. I know them both personally and they are both lovely people. They’ve done such a great job. Whoever gets the job has big shoes to fill.’
James shared that he wouldn’t return to the show as a professional dancer as he is ‘too old’ and they need younger talent for this role, but he would happily return as a judge.
‘I’m too old, I’ll let the young ones do that. And they are doing an amazing job. I would be a judge. It would be an amazing thing. I love Strictly. It is the most successful series ever in TV history,’ he said.
‘I think I would be suited better as a judge because of my honesty. The judges are there to judge the dancing, and the public are there to support who they want personality wise. It is not a proper dance competition, but it should still be judged properly.
‘Back in the days when Len was on there, he would comment on the dancing and give people tips on what they need to work on for the next week. I think Shirley does that very well to be fair.’
Elsewhere, Strictly bosses are under pressure to axe its pre-recorded Sunday night results show as they are unable to stop a mole leaking the outcome of the popular dance-off.
Within an hour of filming finishing at Elstree Studios on Saturday, the ‘Strictly Mole’ has leaked the results online, and by Sunday morning the news of who has been ousted is all over the internet.
Bosses appreciate the results show on Sunday pulls in an audience of over seven million – though it is certain Saturday night viewing figures would be boosted if results were also screened then.
Sharing his take on the situation, James said: ‘The problem is it would make the show so long. The show is sometimes two hours long with only 20 minutes of dancing so do I think the results show should be on the Saturday… I don’t know, maybe.
‘They do lots of pre-recorded dances with the pros, so it wouldn’t be as slick as doing it on a separate show. So I understand why they don’t, but they aren’t going to stop the moles I suppose.’
