EXCLUSIVE: Strictly star James Jordan warns TV bosses there will be no more white, heterosexual men on our screens if they continue to tick diversity boxes as he calls for an end to all-female presenting duos
- Jordan insists that a man should replace Phillip Schofield to present Dancing On Ice
- He called for an end to female presenting duos – such as Strictly’s Tess and Claudia
Former Strictly star James Jordan has warned television executives that if they continue to tick boxes, there will be no more white, straight men on our screens.
In a blistering attack on show business’s promise to become more diverse, Jordan also said an end to all female presenting duos – such as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman who present the BBC One dance show he starred in for seven years . 2006 and 2013.
The ballroom dancer’s comments came after being asked who would present the ITV skating show Dancing On Ice – which he won in 2019 – alongside Holly Willoughby when she returns to it next year without Phillip Schofield – and insisted he had to be a man .
When asked if the ITV dance show should follow in Strictly Come Dancing’s footsteps by having two female presenters at the helm, Jordan replied: ‘No! Stop checking boxes all the time. Have a man and a woman present Dancing On Ice.
James Jordan launched a blistering attack on show business’ promise to become more diverse
Pictured: At Strictly in 2011 alongside fellow professional dancer wife Ola Jordan
Jordan also said there should be an end to all female presenting duos – such as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman who hosted the BBC One dance show he starred in for seven years between 2006 and 2013.
“I also like to see men present, otherwise we will no longer see white, heterosexual men on TV.”
Jordan now hopes that either The Chase host Bradley Walsh, dancer Jordan Banjo or radio DJ Vernon Kay will replace Schofield.
As well as Ms Daly, 54, and Ms Winkleman, 51, Ms Willoughby has also teamed up with her female colleagues to present This Morning.
In March, she co-presented with Alison Hammond, 48, and Josie Gibson, 38, who joined her earlier this month for her first day back after a two-week break following Schofield’s departure from the show.
Ms Hammond and Ms Gibson have also co-hosted the ITV daytime show. And on Good Morning Britain, Kate Garraway, 56, has anchored with both Ranvir Singh, 45, and Charlotte Hawkins, 48.
The ballroom dancer’s comments came after being asked who should present the ITV skating show Dancing On Ice alongside Holly Willoughby when she returns to it next year without Phillip Schofield – and insisted he had to be a man
He won the ITV competition in 2019 alongside professional partner Alexandra Schauman
Jordan, 45, also revealed that he stopped dancing as he mourned the loss of his father Allan, who passed away in March 2021. In the photo: Dancing on Strictly with Denise Van Outen in 2012
Jordan, 45, also revealed that he stopped dancing as he mourned the loss of his father Allan, who passed away aged 67 in March 2021 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
He also says he suffered from “brain fog” and a lack of motivation during the pandemic, which caused him to put on five pounds.
Admitting that he “hated” his looks, he and his wife Ola — also a former Strictly professional dancer — launched a fitness website Dance Shred that combines learning to dance with functional training, and together they lost a whopping six-and-a-half stone. Ms Jordan, 40, dropped from a size 14 to a size 8 in just four months.
It’s such a success that this week they’re launching a new four-week program for Dance Shred, a shortened workout for those who want to lose weight in a short amount of time.