48 Hours of Forbidden Passion: How Vanessa Feltz Fell Hard for Her Strictly Pro!

 The Strictly Curse Unveiled: Vanessa Feltz’s Shocking Confession Rocks James Jordan

On a crisp March morning in 2025, the airwaves buzzed with an electrifying revelation that reignited whispers of the infamous "Strictly Curse." Vanessa Feltz, the seasoned broadcaster and now host of her own Channel 5 daytime chat show, dropped a bombshell that left Strictly Come Dancing veteran James Jordan blushing and speechless. In a candid, unscripted moment, Vanessa confessed she had “passionately fallen in love” with James during their fleeting partnership on the 2013 series of the BBC’s glitzy ballroom extravaganza. The admission, laced with nostalgia and a touch of mischief, sent shockwaves through the studio and beyond, peeling back the layers of a phenomenon that has haunted Strictly for two decades.

The scene unfolded as Vanessa welcomed James and his wife, Ola Jordan—herself a former Strictly pro—onto her vibrant pink sofa. The trio, bound by their shared history on the dance floor, began reminiscing about the magic and madness of Strictly Come Dancing. James, ever the cheeky charmer, quipped, “It was actually really romantic,” recalling their 2013 stint. Vanessa seized the moment, her eyes twinkling with a blend of humor and sincerity. “It was actually very lovely,” she countered, “and I would say for a really heady and insane magical…” She paused, casting a teasing glance at James, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “You don’t know what I’m going to say, do you? Look at him, he’s looking like he doesn’t know what I’m going to say!”

Then came the confession that stopped the room cold: “For an insane 24 to 48 hours, I fell passionately in love with him.” The audience gasped, James’s jaw dropped, and Ola, seated beside her husband, maintained a composed smile—perhaps accustomed to the intoxicating allure of Strictly’s dance-floor chemistry. Vanessa’s words, reported widely by outlets like Edinburgh Live and the Manchester Evening News, weren’t just a fleeting anecdote; they were a window into the emotional whirlwind that Strictly partnerships can ignite.

Vanessa, then 51 and on the cusp of grandmotherhood, had been paired with James, a fiery and flamboyant professional dancer known for his no-nonsense approach. Their time together was brief—Vanessa was the second celebrity eliminated in the 2013 series, her dreams of the Glitterball Trophy dashed after just two performances. Yet, in that short window, something extraordinary brewed. “I had a partner at the time, and I was happy in my relationship, ish,” Vanessa admitted, hinting at the cracks in her long-term romance with Ben Ofoedu, which would later crumble in 2023 amid infidelity scandals. “But I fell passionately in love with him.”

The revelation wasn’t merely a nostalgic quip; it tapped into the lore of the "Strictly Curse," a term coined to describe the romantic entanglements that often blossom—or detonate—between celebrities and their professional partners. Since Strictly’s debut in 2004, the show has been a breeding ground for passion, with statistics suggesting that over 14 high-profile relationships have either begun or ended under its dazzling lights. From Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton’s love story to Seann Walsh’s infamous kiss with Katya Jones, the curse has claimed victims and sparked headlines with relentless regularity.

Vanessa’s tale added a fresh chapter to this saga. She recounted a vivid memory of meeting Ola backstage during rehearsals. “I remember you coming in to show me how steps should be done,” she said, nodding to Ola, “and then I kind of woke up thinking, this is ridiculous, but there is something intoxicating.” James, seizing the chance to playfully prod, asked, “Did you fall in love with me?” Vanessa didn’t hesitate: “’Cause I did, for about 48 hours.” The brevity of her infatuation didn’t diminish its intensity. She later shared how James’s appearance on her BBC radio show post-Strictly sent her heart racing. “I was 50, about to be a grandmother, and I was thinking, I love him, I love him. Then I thought, oh come on, this is ridiculous, grow up, don’t be an idiot.”

What makes Vanessa’s confession so compelling is its raw honesty—and its timing. In 2013, she was a television titan, known for her quick wit and unflappable demeanor. James, meanwhile, was a Strictly stalwart, having danced on the show from 2006 to 2013, earning a reputation as a tough but charismatic pro. Their pairing was an oddity—a broadcaster with no dance experience matched with a perfectionist prone to fiery exchanges. Vanessa speculated on the producers’ motives: “They didn’t pair us together because they thought we were the best couple. It’s my view—and we can’t prove it—but there are marinations going on.” She suggested a calculated gamble: “They could be looking for friction and fireworks. I think they paired me with James because they thought we’d be at loggerheads.”

This theory isn’t unfounded. Strictly’s casting decisions often lean into drama, pairing opposites to spark chemistry—or chaos. A 2021 study by the University of Surrey on reality TV dynamics noted that producers frequently orchestrate “emotional arcs” to keep viewers hooked, a tactic Strictly has mastered. Vanessa and James’s partnership, though short-lived, delivered its share of tension. Their Cha Cha Cha to Donna Summer’s “Love’s Unkind” scored a modest 19 out of 40, with judge Bruno Tonioli famously quipping, “You’ve got the personality, darling, but the technique needs a miracle!” Their exit the following week, after a lackluster Waltz, seemed inevitable—yet Vanessa’s fleeting crush lingered in the shadows.

The "Strictly Curse" isn’t just tabloid fodder; it’s a psychological puzzle. Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, a noted psychologist, has argued that the show’s intense environment—hours of close physical contact, shared vulnerability, and adrenaline-fueled performances—creates a perfect storm for romantic feelings. “You’re in a bubble,” she told The Guardian in 2019. “It’s not just dancing; it’s trust, intimacy, and a heightened emotional state.” Vanessa’s 48-hour infatuation fits this mold, a microcosm of the curse’s seductive pull.

James, for his part, handled the revelation with characteristic bravado. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it a Strictly curse,” he said on Vanessa’s show, grinning as Ola nodded in agreement. The couple, married since 2003 and parents to daughter Ella (born via IVF in 2019), have weathered their own share of Strictly rumors. Ola, who danced on the show until 2015, once faced speculation about her chemistry with partners like Steve Backshall. Yet, their bond endured, a testament to their resilience amid the curse’s chaos.

Vanessa’s story also reflects her personal evolution. Since her 2013 Strictly stint, she’s navigated heartbreak—her 16-year relationship with Ofoedu imploded in 2023—and reinvented herself as Channel 5’s daytime darling. Her show’s debut in March 2025, though met with mixed reviews (The Daily Mail reported “disastrous ratings” of under 200,000 viewers), showcased her unfiltered charm. Confessing her crush on James wasn’t just gossip; it was a bold reclaiming of a moment that, for 48 hours, redefined her.

As the dust settles on this revelation, the Strictly Curse remains an enigma—part myth, part reality. Vanessa’s tale, brief but blazing, reminds us why the show captivates millions. It’s not just about the dancing; it’s about the human connections forged in sequins and sweat. For James Jordan, it’s a flattering footnote in his Strictly legacy. For Vanessa Feltz, it’s a cheeky confession that proves even the most seasoned stars can fall under the spell of the ballroom.