‘It’s all gone too woke’ — Former Strictly Star James Jordan FURIOUS Criticizing BBC: Demanding ‘Red Carpet Rollout’ for half of the Dancers, Replacing for a total shake-up of the judging panel and Accusing the Show of Being ‘Weak’ is ruining everything.k

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan has suggested that half of the cast of the dancing competition should be axed and replaced with fresh faces.

The dancer, who is currently on tour alongside fellow ex professionals

Brendan ColePasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, admitted he was keen to see the entire cast shaken up, including the judging panel, in ‘changes’ to the

BBC series.

James, 47, who appeared on Strictly from 2006 to 2013 – alongside his wife Ola, 43, who left in 2015 – hit out that ‘new dancers’ should be given a chance at the limelight, taking over from a string of pros who have been there for many years.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, the father-of-one said: ‘I know it’s a big thing to suggest, but we need a shake up of professional dancers.

‘You have to know when to hang up your dance shoes, and I think there’s a few people on there that maybe need to think about that.

‘They’ve been on there a long time, they’ve had their time, and now let someone else younger and fresh come on – let’s get rid of 50% of them and bring in some new ones, some young British dancers.

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Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan has suggested that half of the cast of the dancing competition are AXED and replaced with fresh faces

James admitted he was keen to see the entire show cast shaken up, including the judging panel, in ‘changes’ to the BBC series

‘I’m not gonna necessarily mention names because I don’t think it’s fair on the stars, but there’s people that have been on there a long time have had their day.

‘Especially when we’ve got so many amazing dancers out there, home grown dancers as well – it’s a British show and there’s not enough British dancers.’

It’s not just the pros that James is keen to see replaced, as he also hit out that he thought it was time the judging panel featured someone new.

The last time the judging panel was shaken up was back in 2022, when

Anton Du Beke replaced Bruno Tonioli to join Motsi Mabuse, who joined in 2019 to replace Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, who joined in 2017 to replace the late Len Goodman and original judge Craig Revel Horwood.

James continued: ‘Mix them up, too, get someone on there, maybe a previous Strictly pro that is maybe a little bit outspoken and not afraid to say what they think.’

And that wasn’t his only bone to pick with the panel – admitting he had been disappointed this series with their lack of hard-hitting criticism.

While long-standing judge Craig, 60, had long been known as the harshest critic, it was revealed he was forced to ‘mellow’ his approach earlier this year over fears from the BBC bosses he would ‘upset’ contestants.

James continued: ‘It’s all become a little bit woke, hasn’t it?

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James also suggested that there should be some fresh faces added to the judging panel

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James, who appeared on the BBC series from 2006 to 2013 and wife Ola from 2006 to 2015, said he would not return as a professional if asked

‘Craig’s always been one of my favourite judges, to be honest with you, but I do feel he’s softened, I prefer the more feisty fiery Craig.

‘I know he said he’s changed with the times because you have to be more aware of people’s feelings and everything.

‘But I personally disagree, I don’t think there’s anything wrong in life with telling people that they’re not good at something.

‘You are have support them and everything, but if they do something and it’s not good, you’ve gotta say, “that wasn’t that great, but you’ve got to do XY”.

‘If you say to someone that Cha Cha was really not good and technically it was bad and this and that and everything’s a little bit negative. What’s wrong with that?

‘I know it’s only an entertainment show, but I just feel we’re breeding a world of soft people where we’re not allowed to say anything negative to anyone.

‘I’m not saying you have to be brutal, but there’s nothing wrong with telling someone if what they’ve done isn’t good, or that you should you mark everyone high because you are worried about upsetting them.’

He added: ‘If they asked me to be a judge, of course I would jump at the chance. I think everyone knows I would be very good at that.

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James revealed he ‘would jump at the chance’ to become a judge on the show, but felt he ‘scared’ the BBC with his ‘honesty’

‘It is just obviously whether or not they’d ask me because I am very honest and maybe that scares them a little bit.’

That doesn’t mean that James would return to dance on the show if he was asked, confirming: ‘I’ve been there, done it, got the T-shirt, I did eight amazing years on Strictly and loved every second.

‘I wouldn’t want to come back as a professional dancer.’

Instead, James and his fellow former Strictly pros Brendan, Pasha, Vincent and Ian have extended their tour, titled The Return of the Legends, after popularity with fans.

Despite his suggestions about changes to the show, James insisted he and his tour co-stars ‘still love’ Strictly, adding: ‘We still are interested in and love the show.

‘It’s still nice to watch it and know that you were there once doing it and now there’s other people and there doing it, we we’ve still got a vested interest in it.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday and Sunday nights at 6:05pm and 7:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Tickets for The Return of the Legends Tour can be found at legendsofthedancefloor.com.

Zhilei Zhang one of two in contention for Derek Chisora’s farewell fight trucc

LAST month it was revealed that Derek Chisora would headline in Manchester this December for what would be his 50th and final fight. Now, Boxing News understands that Zhilei Zhang is in contention to be in the opposite corner.

Chisora, 36-13 (23 KOs), overcame Otto Wallin last time out, in what was supposed to be his final professional outing in the UK.

Although, it was later revealed that ‘Del Boy’ wanted to finish his career on home turf and that he would return to Manchester for his finale.

Despite the announcement of the location and date for Chisora’s goodbye, the choice of opponent has remained a mystery, with a host of top heavyweight contenders vying for the chance to give the veteran a cruel send-off.

According to BN sources, Chisora and promoter Frank Warren have whittled the list of possible dance partners down to two, with Zhang, 27-3-1 (22 KOs), being one of those options.

It is also believed that Zhang has delayed plans for a fight in China in early 2026, instead accepting a deal for this fight and currently waiting on confirmation from Chisora, who may yet opt for the alternate and unnamed opponent.

Zhang is yet to fight since undergoing elbow surgery following a first stoppage defeat against Agit Kabayel in February, with the 42-year-old southpaw now ready to fight and keen for activity.

It is expected that an announcement will be made within the next few days regarding who will fight Chisora.

Elsewhere on the bill, there are potential complications surrounding the involvement of Moses Itauma, who was expected to appear.

However, Michael Hunter’s withdrawal from a challenge for Kubrat Pulev’s WBA (Regular) heavyweight title has opened the door for Itauma to take his spot and face the 44-year-old Bulgarian for the belt.

As a result, rumours suggest that Itauma’s next outing could be pushed back to January, unless a deal can be agreed with Pulev in rapid fashion.

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