Strictly Come Dancing: Ola Jordan 'confirms' departure after claiming judges scores are 'fixed'
'I have had an amazing 10 years on the show, but things change and I feel it's time for me to move onto other things'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Strictly Come Dancing's credibility has been put into question after Ola Jordan ‘confirms’ she is leaving the BBC show just days after claiming “judges over-marked and under-marked” contestants.
The professional dancer - who has been on the show for 10 years - made the revelations to her 259,000 followers just before Saturday’s Blackpool show.
“Hi tweeps.... So, yes it's true,” she wrote. “I will be leaving Strictly at the end of this series. I have had an amazing 10 years on the show, but things change and I feel it's time for me to move onto other things.
She went on to thanks everyone for all their support as well as the “brilliant” pro-dancers, adding: “it's time for me to move onto other things”.
“Sometimes in life you have to take a step backwards in order to keep moving forwards,” she concluded.
Jordan began her Strictly career in 2006, winning the 2009 contest with celebrity partner Chris Collins. Earlier this year, she was the first contestant to leave alongside Iwan Thomas.
The 33-year-old claimed earlier this week that the show was ‘fixed’, saying judges mark the popular couples higher than their rivals.
She told the Sun: “Some of the marking is way off. People are over-marked and under-marked. As a dancer, you can’t cheat me. I know who has been over-marked and under-marked.
"In my opinion they know how many votes people scored in the previous weeks and then they try to influence their position on the leaderboard. If the show is not fair, it takes the fun out of it.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
The BBC said the claim was “nonsense”, saying: “Any suggestion that the scores are "fixed" is nonsense. Each judge scores each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion”
The broadcaster has been contacted for comment over Jordan’s departure.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments