It was a special occasion for Strictly Come Dancing's Ola Jordan and her husband James at the weekend as they celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary doing what they do best - performing together at Strictly Tea Dancing at London's Langham Hotel, the annual event organised by Gloria Hunniford for the charity in memory of her daughter Caron who died ten years ago after a long battle with breast cancer.
Gloria Hunniford with James and Ola Jordan. Photos/Zoe Norfolk
"There was never any doubt we would be here today," 36-year-old James told HELLO!. "We would never have said no. We love Gloria and we wanted to be part of this." As they prepared to dance the rumba, James told the audience, "It's our anniversary, 11 years today that we've been married. I can see you all thinking she is a really lucky girl, and she really is," he quipped, as he looked across at his beautiful 32-year-old wife.
They no longer dance together in the popular BBC1 series - Ola was signed up this year but without James - however he said of the show: "Strictly is an amazing show, the dancers are still absolutely phenomenal." His favourite judge? "It's between Len and Darcey. She is a nice genuine lady, and I've known Len for over 20 years, he is quick witted, and he knows what he is talking about... A lot more than the two bookends do!" he added to much laughter.
Of this year's contestants he says he is impressed with EastEnders star Jake Wood. "When I saw his salsa this year, he was so good I thought this guy has had to have dance training, but he hasn't. I have never seen a celeb perform a salsa like that before."
With her husband Stephen Way, her two grandsons Charlie and Gabriel and Sally Lindsay
The star-studded audience included past and present EastEnders stars Kellie Bright, Lyndsey Coulson, John Partridge, along with dancer Wayne Sleep, Anthea Turner, Vanessa Feltz (who partnered James on Strictly), Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph, and an auction led by Christopher Biggins which saw the total for the fundraising event hit 30,000 for the Caron Keating Foundation which gives grants to all types of cancer charities across the country.
"We must give thanks to The Langham management and staff, for all their endless help and effort, and who were so generous in their support, everyone who took part not only on stage and on the dance floor but those who contributed to the Auction, and also we must not forget yourselves for being here. You all really made it a ‘family’ day," said Gloria who was joined by her husband Stephen Way, along with Caron's two sons Charlie and Gabriel Lindsay.www.caronkeating.org
