From a sex slur scandal to bullying allegations and investigations, Strictly Come Dancing has had a rocky few years.
The latest blow for the BBC show came when beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced that they will quit following this year’s series.
And in the wake of this news, former Strictly professional James Jordan, who appeared on the show between 2006 and 2013, has called for the show to have a full shake-up – including axing HALF of the pros.
The British dancer, 47, 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.
James Jordan has called for half of the Strictly Come Dancing pros and judges to be AXED and says BBC show has become ‘too woke and needs a shake-up’
The British dancer, 47, 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’
‘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.’
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.
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’
He added: ‘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’
‘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.
‘For years and years, I’ve always been able to find out who was eliminated before the Sunday show. I’ve always found out on the Saturday, and that is without me ringing anyone from the show, that is just online. But if you don’t want to know, stay off social media.’
James said he is rooting for George Clarke and Alexis Warr to win the show, but said they need a ‘few more good dances’ to secure the Glitterball Trophy.
He went on to praise one of the new pros, American-born Alexis, saying she is doing ‘an amazing job’ and that the show needs more like her.
James quit Strictly in 2013 after eight years in the professional lineup, while his wife Ola Jordan stayed for two more years, leaving in 2015.
The couple married in 2003 and welcomed their daughter Ella, four, in February 2020.
