James Jordan will be returning to Liverpool next October
James Jordan (Image: 2019 Getty Images)
A former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer has explained what makes a visit to Liverpool so special. James Jordan, a show regular for eight years, remains closely linked to Strictly as he voices honest and direct opinions regularly.
James’ time on Strictly is reflected on with fond memories, with the dancer having no regrets. Speaking with the Liverpool ECHO with Freebets.com, the home of the new casino sites, James said he “absolutely loved” being a part of the show.
Although James never clinched the glitterball trophy, he memorably finished second in 2012 with his celebrity partner, actress Denise van Outen. James also finished third with Pamela Stephenson in 2010.
Over the years, James has recognised major changes to the show. He said: “Obviously the show has changed a lot since I’ve been on it. some things I think definitely for the better. Production value and everything has moved on massively. I think the structure of the show, although it is very similar, I do think it’s changed a lot.”
The 47-year-old added: “I was very stuck in my ways. I’m a purist. I like the Ballroom and Latin, I like the traditional I believe that’s what people fell in love with on Strictly, and when it all started changing, I wasn’t necessarily prepared and that could be my downfall, but I mean, I wasn’t gonna be on the show for forever anyway.”
Former Strictly Come Dancing stars Ola and James Jordan(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
James added: “I just feel that for me personally, I left at the right time. I love watching the show, like I said, those changes I think a lot of them are for the better. I understand why they’ve done them, but I personally wouldn’t want to be necessarily [on the show]. I’m not versatile enough as a dancer to be doing some of the stuff they’re doing. Let’s put it that way.”
James watched as the Strictly Come Dancing final 2025 took place yesterday, Saturday December 20. He revealed he has loved watching Welsh TV personality Amber Davies. Praise was also heaped on Lewis Cope, who in the opinion of James, is among the best celebrities to have ever been on the famous dancefloor.
The Dancing on Ice winner said: “He [Lewis] was phenomenal, but I also like watching your Ann Widdecombe and John Sergeants, and people like that for me, that is the beauty of Strictly.” Last year’s Strictly champion, dancer Dianne Buswell, and her celebrity partner Chris McCausland saw football pundit Karen Carney become the new Strictly champion last night with dancer Carlos Gu.
The former Lioness lifted the trophy at the end of an emotional episode of the competition, which was the last live show for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. After she was announced as the winner, defeating Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke, Karen said she couldn’t believe it.
She shared: “I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us. Thank you to this wonderful gentleman, we are a team and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
The show’s conclusion means attention turns to the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. It is coming to arenas across the UK in January and February 2026. Joining the tour is a line-up of celebrities and professional dancers. The judges will also be returning.
Like previous years, Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena will be a venue visited on the live tour. James, who has experienced the live shows previously shared his fond memories of performing on Merseyside, including the special crowds that are guaranteed and the best place to eat.
Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite are joining forces once more for new dance spectacular, Vegas: After Hours(Image: UGC)
James said: “I used to always be excited about going to Liverpool, I loved San Carlo. We loved going to all the venues but Liverpool is a great one. The audience are always amazing as well, they are a bit more rowdy which we love.
“As performers it is always nice [loud crowd], I would say the further north we go the audience are just a bit more loud.” James shared that going to different places means “you always know” what you are going to get.
He added that Liverpool has “always” been an amazing place for the Strictly professionals, including himself, to go to and they absolutely “love” it. It won’t only be Strictly returning to Liverpool next year, James will also be performing in the city.
Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite have announced they will be returning to theatres across the UK in 2026. The former Strictly stars will perform their new theatre show ‘Vegas: After Hours,’ bringing the glitz, glamour and excitement of Las Vegas to theatres across the country.
The tour starts on Saturday, October 3 in Fareham and will arrive at the Liverpool Empire on Tuesday, October 6. With their incredible female dance partners, the five Strictly legends will bring the spirit of Sin City to life through stunning routines and nonstop entertainment.
Speaking about the upcoming tour, James explained that the expectations of viewers had probably been exceeded previously. He said: “I think people are actually shocked when they’ve come to the show because they didn’t really know what to expect.
“We are a lot older than these guys that are on the show [Strictly] now. Some of them were were over 20 years older than them. So people didn’t know what to expect, but we still can dance to a very high level.”
James described the tour as “full on”, with solo dances and many different styles of dancing. He said: “Because we don’t work for the BBC anymore, we can say what we want and we do. And and I think people find that quite refreshing.
“It is actually a really funny show with the chat and at the same time, when I watch those guys, I’m so inspired by them and they are still amazing at what they do and hence why they were on the show for so long and they are the OGs. When I watch them every night, when I watch them from the from the side wings, they inspire me.”