BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'thought he was going to die' in heartbreaking admission
BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'thought he was going to die' in heartbreaking admission
The former Strictly pro is preparing to return to the stage this September with The Return of the Legends alongside his Strictly pals
Lorraine: James Jordan defends comments on wife Ola's weight
Former Strictly Come Dancing favourite James Jordan has opened up about his fears of collapsing during the strenuous Legends of the Dance Floor tour last year.
The tour, which was a sell-out success, saw him reunited with fellow past Strictly professionals Ian Waite, Pasha Kovalev, Brendan Cole, and Vincent Simone. They thrilled audiences nationwide with their dynamic performances and amusing anecdotes from behind the scenes.
Despite the excitement, James, who is married to another Strictly alumnus, Ola, confessed to finding the rigours of live shows particularly taxing after some time away. His concern reached a peak during a fast-paced jive number, where he doubted his ability to finish the dance without incident in front of a full house.
Speaking to The Sun, Jordan expressed his anxiety by saying: "Every night I did that jive I thought 'is tonight the night that I'm going to die?'" He light-heartedly recounted how Pasha joked about the situation, saying: "Pasha, you're the one every night that used to say 'if he dies he dies.'"
Former Strictly Come Dancing stars Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite
(Image: Terry Blackburn )
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Fortunately, 46-year-old James remains fit and eagerly anticipates a new theatre tour, The Return of the Legends, slated for September, reports Edinburgh Live.
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The previous year's tour not only entranced fans but also received adulation from the Strictly Come Dancing chief judge Shirley Ballas. With another round looming, the whole ensemble is fully committed to rehearsals.
Moreover, James and Ian Waite have just returned from a gruelling fitness retreat abroad, which was attended by other ex-sportspeople, including Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington.
James admitted that the routines were rather intense
(Image: Getty Images )
At 54, Ian is the eldest of the group but still boasts an enviable eight-pack, which showcases his fitness. James may not match Ian's chiselled physique, but he has shown remarkable commitment to his health, overcoming weight issues and a series of medical setbacks, including shoulder surgery and complex hernia repairs.
The prospect of touring has fuelled James's motivation to stay in top form for their upcoming performances.
James remarked: "Ian is just an anomaly, he's a freak of nature. I've just been for a week with him on holiday actually a fitness week; he's 54 years old and he's as fit as anyone 20 years younger than him."
James previously appeared as a professional dancer on Strictly
(Image: (Image: GETTY) )
He continued, reflecting on his own physical challenges: "I'm trying to keep up, but unfortunately, genetically, I don't have the same joints and bones that Ian does. I've had shoulder surgery, I need shoulder surgery on this one, I've just had a hernia operation where they had to totally reconstruct my inguinal canal."
Despite various ailments, James remains determined: "I've got bad knees, I suffer with my back, I've got tennis elbow. However, I'm one of these people, as Ian knows, I've got to get over myself and try and get through it, and this year will be no different," he admitted.
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The Return of the Legends will be on tour from September
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