Ola Jordan Biography
Ola Jordan Biography

Ola was born in Poland, in a small town called Nasielsk and grew up in Legionowo (near Warsaw). She lived there until she came to England aged 17.

Ola’s mother is called Janina and her father is called Dariusz. She has one older sister, Monika who is a pharmacist. Ola also has two beautiful nieces Dominika who is 15 and little baby Antonina who is just 3.

Ola began dancing at the age of 10, at her school. The teacher told her parents that she had real talent, and that she should attend a proper dance school where she could take part in competitions and find a partner to dance with.

‘When I was young, I would watch dance programmes and think ‘that’s what I want to do’. So when my school advertised dance classes I really begged my Mum to let me go for it.’

So, her Mum enrolled her in a dance school, found her a partner and she was taking part in small competitions aged 12.

Over the next few years, Ola had to gain certain ‘classes’ (which are our equivalent of medals) in order to take part in competitions, and she gained the class she needed to take part in the Youth Closed Polish Championships, where she won first place.

She won the Polish Championship in 1999 at 17 years old, and then went to the World Championships where she was placed in the Top 12 in November 1999.

Ola split from her dance partner shortly after the World Championships, and was in the process of looking for a new partner when James Jordan phoned her and asked if he could come to Poland and try-out to be her partner. So, in March 2000, James arrived in Poland and they matched perfectly. In April 2000, Ola moved to England.

Within six months of meeting they entered their first competition and after this amazing partnership was formed they went onto compete all over the world, winning many championships and becoming one of the top 12 dance couples in the world, also representing England in the World Championships.

After getting married in October 2003, James and Ola moved to Hong Kong where they both taught Latin American dancing for 4 years. During this period they decided to take a three year sabbatical break from dancing.

After 3 years they both got itchy feet and decided to hit the dance circuit once more, and at this point hit the peak of their competitive career.

James and Ola entered BBC1 Strictly Come Dancing series 4.

‘There is a bit of competition between us of course, but we both want each other to do the best we can. But I do want to win!’

Ola’s parents still live in Poland so they can’t watch Strictly Come Dancing on TV. ‘They watch clips of the dance on a Saturday night on YouTube. They don’t speak English so can’t understand the judges comments but they can see how well we danced’.

Since taking part in the series last year, Ola has appeared in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour as well as performing dance showcase across the UK and Europe.

Ola has been teaching and running her own dance events.

Ola was a judge on a groundbreaking new show, Dancing on Wheels, which is produced by Fever Media. Dancing on Wheels paired disabled and able-bodied contestants as they learn the art of Ballroom and Latin dance. Contestants included Heather Small, Mark Foster and Kevin Sacre.

Ola is involved in raising money for various charities. Whilst James has been busy with his hobbies, Ola has been just as active in hers – shopping!

Specialty: Latin American

Professional Achievements:

 - Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2009 
 - Polish Youth Champion
 - Ameatuer World Semi – Finalist
 - Ameatuer British Closed Runners Up
 - Canada Open Champions
 - Japan Open Champions
 - 2006 British Open Rising Star Professional Latin Runners Up
 - 2006 UK Open Rising Star Professional Latin American Finalists
 - 2005/2006 Latin American Closed British Finalists
 - 2006 Professional International Latin American Championships, ranked Top 12 in World

Specifics:

 - Height: 5’4”
 - Age: 28 Ola was born 30th September 1982
 - Eye Colour: Brown

Ola comes across very quiet and subdued at first, but once you get to know Ola you realise that she is very bubbly and talkative.

Ola is a keen yoga fanatic and regularly practices, as it keeps her supple and toned. She also loves shopping as it ‘helps her to relax!’

During living in Hong Kong Ola took up wake boarding, which is very unusual, as it is an extreme sport.

Favourite Dances:

Ola’s favourite Latin dance is the Samba

‘It’s without doubt my favourite dance – it’s fast, it’s rhythmical and there is so much body movement’

Ola’s favourite Ballroom dance is the Waltz

“It’s a lovely graceful dance, it gives you a chance to be more elegant and lady like”

James and Ola would like to thank both sets of parents, without whom none of this would be possible.

James Jordan Biography
James Jordan Strictly Come Dancing
James Jordan Picture Gallery
Ola Jordan Biography
Ola Jordan Strictly Come Dancing
Ola Jordan Picture Gallery