The former professional responded to recent criticisms of the show

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has called for significant changes to the BBC show’s format, arguing that contestants with dance training hold an unfair advantage over complete beginners.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, Mr Jordan said: “I think you have to put everyone on a more level playing field. That’s the first thing.”

He explained that trained dancers who find themselves in the bottom two will almost always be saved by the judges, making it nearly impossible for untrained celebrities to compete fairly.

Mr Jordan also took aim at the scoring system. Speaking via Freebets.com, the home of new casino sites, where he works as the entertainment betting expert, he stated: “Don’t have ties on a leaderboard if you want fairness, because those ties enable things like that to happen.”

BBC Strictly: Ola Jordan (left) starred in BBC Strictly from 2006 to 2015, while husband James Jordan (right) featured from 2006 to 2013 | GETTY

His comments come as Lewis Cope’s exit last week prompted fury among viewers, many of whom had the actor and partner Katya Jones lauded as potential winners from the start.

The former professional suggested giving the show’s dancers more solo performances to showcase high-level dancing, while keeping the celebrity competition more authentic.

Mr Jordan also argued that the programme needs to commit to one direction or the other when it comes to casting.

“Either go ‘Okay, we are going to pick people that are all got massive dance ability.’ It would be a great show, wouldn’t it?

“But don’t have people competing against them that have never danced a step in their life,” he said.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were eliminated from the show | BBCHe pointed to the American version of the show, where contestants are predominantly trained performers, as an example of taking a clear approach.

“To compete against people that are fully trained artists. It’s unfair, so it just needs to be a more level playing field. Either go one way or the other,” Mr Jordan added.

The former dancer noted that while Strictly has always featured some trained contestants, the standard has risen considerably over the years.

Mr Jordan called for the pre-recorded video packages to become more genuine, revealing what actually happens during rehearsals.

BBC Strictly: James Jordan left the show in 2013 | PA

“I want to see what’s going on more in the training room. Much more stuff in the training room. Show me them not getting on.

“Show me them struggling. Show me them crying. Show me them laughing, joking, the banter,” he said.

The former professional expressed frustration with the polished nature of current VTs, saying he wants to see “actuality” rather than heavily produced content.

“Let’s get to know the real stuff that you can see. It’s not a VT which has been produced. I don’t want to see it being produced,” Mr Jordan explained.

BBC Strictly: James Jordan and his wife Ola were once pros on the the show

 | PAHe believes viewers would connect more with authentic behind-the-scenes footage showing the genuine dynamics between celebrity contestants and their partners.

Mr Jordan also criticised the judging panel for sometimes overshadowing the performances themselves.

“It just needs to be a little bit less about the judges, sometimes I just feel it’s a little bit panto now where back in the day, it wasn’t so much,” he said.

BBC Strictly: Katya Jones was heartbroken to have been eliminated last week

Despite his critiques, the former professional insisted his comments come from a place of affection for the programme.

“I love the show. It sounds like I’m negative about Strictly, which I’m not. I love it,” Mr Jordan said.

However, he believes the upcoming departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presents an ideal opportunity for the BBC to refresh the format.

“I do think now that Tess and Claudia are leaving, it does need a little bit of an overhaul and come back really fresh next year,” he concluded.