Former Strictly pro has Ola Jordan called out the show’s judges for their inappropriate behaviour in an interview with Entertainment Daily.

The 43-year-old ex pro, who appeared on the hit BBC show between 2006 and 2015, enjoyed a successful run. In 2009, she won the Glitterball Trophy with TV presenter Chris Hollins.

The former Strictly champion went on to say that she believes the show has become “too focused on drama and soundbites” rather than genuine coaching. “When I was on Strictly, we were encouraged to push celebrities but also to support them,” she explained. “The judges used to give tough love, but there was respect there. Now it feels like they’re trying to make viral moments instead of helping people improve. That’s not what Strictly should be about.”

Ola’s comments struck a chord with fans, many of whom have echoed her frustration online. One viewer posted, “Ola’s right—Harry didn’t deserve that. He’s one of the most likable contestants this year, and the judges were just mean for the sake of it.” Another wrote, “Constructive criticism is fine, but Craig was downright nasty. Good on Ola for saying what everyone’s thinking.” The wave of support even sparked a trending hashtag: #JusticeForHarry.

Behind the scenes, sources close to the Strictly production have reportedly acknowledged the backlash. One insider told The Sun: “The judges were shocked by how negative the response was. They stand by their scores, but there’s definitely a feeling that maybe the tone was too harsh. Harry’s such a well-loved guy, and the audience turned quickly when they felt he was being unfairly targeted.”

Harry himself handled the criticism with his usual grace and humor, telling It Takes Two host Fleur East, “Look, I’m used to tough coaches—I’ve had them all my life! But I won’t lie, that one stung a bit. Still, I’m here to learn, and I’ll take what they said and try to get better next week.” His professional partner, Luba Mushtuk, was more emotional, saying, “Harry gives 100% every single day. He deserves encouragement, not ridicule.”

Her husband, James Jordan—another former Strictly professional known for his outspoken views—also weighed in, backing his wife’s take. “Totally agree with Ola,” he tweeted. “Harry didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. The judges should be encouraging improvement, not chasing headlines. That’s not what the show used to be about.” The Jordans’ joint criticism carries weight, as both are respected for their technical expertise and long history with the series.

With the 23rd series underway, Ola has shared her thoughts on Saturday night’s (October 11) show, and she’s not totally impressed with how some of the judges reacted to Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

A shirtless Harry and Karen performed a salsa last weekend (Credit: BBC)
Strictly judges react to Harry Aikines-Aryeetey performing a salsa

At the weekend, Harry and his dance partner Karen Hauer performed a sizzling salsa. Harry showed off his moves while shirtless, which host Tess Daly immediately pointed out.

“That is a strong look, Harry!” she announced, to which he replied: “I apologise everyone for the nudity.”

When Tess asked for Craig Revel Horwood’s critique, he admitted he “almost forgot to look at the footwork”, joking: “I can’t for the life of me think why darling!”

Ola, who left Strictly in 2015 but has remained a keen observer of the show, also called out what she sees as double standards in how different contestants are treated. “There are people on that dance floor who make big mistakes but still get glowing comments,” she said. “Then Harry, who clearly puts in the graft and improves each week, gets picked apart for entertainment value.

It’s not right.” She added that the judges’ tone risks discouraging contestants and damaging the show’s family-friendly image. “At the end of the day, Strictly is supposed to celebrate people stepping out of their comfort zones. If the feedback turns into ridicule, it stops being inspiring—it becomes mean-spirited.”

Industry insiders have suggested that Ola’s words might sting even more because she’s one of the few former pros who understands the inner workings of the show. “Ola’s not speaking as an outsider,” one Strictly source told Heat magazine. “She’s been there. She knows how nerve-wracking those live shows can be and how much pressure the celebs are under. When she says the judges went too far, people listen.”

Still, not everyone agrees with Ola’s assessment. Some fans have defended the judges, arguing that Harry’s paso doble simply wasn’t up to standard. “It’s a competition,” one viewer tweeted. “If you can’t handle criticism, you shouldn’t be on Strictly. The judges were just doing their job.” Others suggested that Ola’s comments were “attention-seeking” or “out of touch with the current format.”

But Ola appears unfazed by the mixed reaction. Speaking later on her Instagram stories, she doubled down on her remarks. “I’ll always stand up for fairness,” she said. “I know what it’s like to be in that ballroom, feeling nervous, giving everything, and then being shot down in front of millions. You can be honest without being cruel. There’s a difference between judging and belittling.”

Shirley Ballas also admitted she was distracted by his appearance, referring to the “shake on the little pecks” while mimicking the move.

“You are quite extraordinary, in every department,” she continued cheekily, while the panel burst into laughter.

“Shirley’s gone giddy,” Tess said before Shirley admitted she was “blushing”.

Ola called out the judges’ behaviour (Credit: BBC)
Ola Jordan reacts

Following Saturday’s show, Ola Jordan has hit back, insisting that if Anton Du Beke were to have made similar remarks to a female contestant, there would be an uproar.

“Can you imagine if Anton [Du Beke] did that over a woman? He’d be sacked straight away!” she told ED! on behalf of Mecca Bingo.

“That is definitely a double standard,” Ola continued.

When it came to the judges giving their scores, Harry and Karen received 8s all around, achieving their highest score to date, 32.

The pair managed to avoid the dreaded bottom two. However, unfortunately for Ross King, he became the second celeb voted off.

OLA JORDAN DEFENDS HARRY AIKINES-ARYEETEY IN STRICTLY FEUD! “The Judges Crossed the Line” — Former Pro Slams Panel’s Treatment of Sprinter Star: “It Was Disrespectful, Not Constructive!”

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Ola Jordan has come out swinging in defense of athlete Harry Aikines-Aryeetey after what she described as “harsh and disrespectful” treatment from the show’s judging panel. The outspoken dancer, who spent nearly a decade on the BBC hit, didn’t hold back in her criticism, accusing the judges of “humiliating” Harry instead of giving him fair, constructive feedback. Her comments have ignited a fierce debate among fans and insiders alike, reopening old questions about whether Strictly’s judging has become too personal and performative.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the sprinter and former Commonwealth gold medallist, has been one of this year’s most entertaining contestants, bringing his trademark energy and charisma to every performance. But last weekend’s episode took an unexpectedly sour turn when the judges — particularly Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas — delivered a series of stinging critiques following his paso doble. Craig called the routine “a mess from start to finish,” while Shirley described Harry’s technique as “heavy, clumsy, and lacking finesse.” Even Motsi Mabuse, usually a beacon of positivity, said his dance “didn’t flow.”

The studio audience responded with audible boos, and social media immediately lit up with complaints about what many saw as “overly cruel” feedback. Ola Jordan, who has long been an advocate for fairness and professionalism on the show, was among the first to speak out. In an interview with The Mirror, she blasted the judges’ remarks as “borderline disrespectful” and accused them of “forgetting what it’s like to be out there under that pressure.”

“Harry is giving everything he’s got,” Ola said passionately. “He’s not a trained dancer—he’s an athlete who’s putting himself out there every week, trying to learn a completely new skill in front of millions of people. There’s a way to critique someone without tearing them down, and I think the judges crossed that line. It wasn’t helpful; it was humiliating.”

As the debate rages on, Strictly Come Dancing finds itself under renewed scrutiny. The show has faced accusations in recent years of becoming overly sensationalized, prioritizing ratings and viral moments over genuine dance progression. Ola’s comments may reignite calls for a more supportive judging style that balances entertainment with empathy.

In the meantime, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey continues to train hard for his next routine, determined to win back the judges’ approval—and the nation’s hearts. As for Ola Jordan, she’s made it clear she won’t be silenced. “I love Strictly,” she concluded in her interview. “It gave me everything. But loving something doesn’t mean you can’t call it out when it loses its way. The judges need to remember that behind the sequins and the smiles, these are real people trying their best. That deserves respect.”

And with that, Ola Jordan has once again proven that while she may have hung up her Strictly heels, she hasn’t lost her passion—or her voice—when it comes to defending what she believes is right on the dance floor.