Strictly legend says he could have ‘slept with more stars than Giovanni Pernice’-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Giovanni Pernice has sparked relationships with former Strictly partners (Picture: Getty Images)

Strictly Come Dancing legend James Jordan has admitted he would have slept with some of his dance partners, given the chance.

The 46-year-old star – who has been married to fellow dancer Ola Jordan for 20 years – joined the show with his wife in 2006, and despite remaining faithful he can see how pros like Giovanni Pernice found romance on the show.

In the past, Giovanni – who is rumoured to have quit the BBC Latin and ballroom competition after nine years – has dated celebs like Georgia May Foote and Ashley Roberts after meeting them on the programme.

James quipped: ‘If they’re single, I say crack on, I’m all for it. If I wasn’t with Ola, I’d have been worse than Giovanni!’

He pointed out that from the very first day of rehearsals, the pro and their celeb are ‘literally rubbing up on each other’, and it’s not hard to see how an attraction forms.

‘You’re very close, aren’t you? Day one, you come in and you’re literally rubbing up on each other, groin to groin,’ he told The Sun. ‘You just met them and you’re rubbing your crown jewels up against them.’

James Jordan thinks he could have ‘slept with’ more people on Strictly if he hadn’t been married (Picture: Yui Mok/PA)

Giovanni is rumoured to have quit Strictly (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

He explained: ‘It’s normal in our world but not for everyone else and you’re so close to each other, dancing sexy, and there’s nice music and you’re training with each other for eight hours a day, so if there is a little bit of chemistry, something’s going to happen.’

However, James and Ola – who have four-year-old daughter Ella together – shrugged off the idea of the infamous Strictly Curse, insisting that sparks flying is ‘no different’ to any other workplace romances.

‘I don’t really believe in the whole Strictly curse,’ he added. ‘It’s no different to any office in London or wherever, where John’s copping off with Sue around the corner.

Ola and James Jordan have been married for two decades (Picture: Ian West/PA)

‘It happens in all walks of life. It just so happens that Strictly is on TV, so people are digging to find more.’

Ola agreed, noting that the public are more interested in ‘everyone’s business’ because the show is so high profile.

She said: ‘I’m sure it happens in any Christmas party in an office. It’s just so magnified on Strictly, so everyone’s got interest in everyone’s business.’

Giovanni’s future on the show is unclear(Picture: Getty Images)

After reports of clashes with celebrity dance partners, it’s been claimed Giovanni will not be returning to the show and is said to be ‘starting negotiations’ for another series.

While the 33-year-old Italian dancer’s departure is yet to be officially confirmed, a spokesperson for the BBC has refused to deny the claims.

Instead, when approached by Metro.co.uk, they said: ‘The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.’

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