Ex-Strictly pro Ola Jordan brands BBC show's sob stories 'boring' and claims producers use them to sway viewers' votes
Fans of the show aren't keen on them, either
Strictly Come Dancing has “too many” sob stories and the producers use them to manipulate viewers’ voting decisions, one ex star of the BBC dance show has sensationally claimed.
Ola Jordan, who was on the series as a professional dancer between 2006 and 2015, made the comments after Vicky Pattison became the latest star to be voted out of the BBC ballroom competition.
Speaking exclusively to our sister site Entertainment Daily, on behalf of Mecca Bingo, Ola revealed that she never watches the VTs as she finds them ‘boring’. More than that, she’s added that the VTs “are important” and decided by producers who “know who people will pick up the phone for”.
Ex-Strictly pro claims ‘too many sob stories’ are manipulating voters
Like many watching at home, Ola said that she thinks this year’s show has become too emotional. On Saturday night, for example, Carlos Gu wept to Claudia Winkleman after the judges praised his partner Karen Carney’s routine.
She said: “There was always a sob story, but there are so many now. I don’t watch the VTs – they bore me – I like training VTs because I want to see them struggle and try hard. I don’t want to see them walking in the park with dogs. Those bore me.”
Turning her attention to George Clarke, who spoke about his mum’s previous health issues and her recent cancer diagnosis on this weekend’s show, Ola added: “Some are emotional – George’s one about his mum was very sad and makes people vote. Vicky [Pattison] had her dogs, and maybe people didn’t feel like voting for that as much as they did for George’s story.”
She went on to add: “VTs are important. But the contestants have no control.”
Crucially, Ola then shared: “The producers decide the VTs, and they know who people will pick up the phone for.”
What went wrong for Vicky Pattison
VTs aside, what does Ola think went wrong for Vicky Pattison, after she exited the competition this week?
“The whole dance just didn’t suit her,” she declared. “The music, the dance… Getting that dance at this stage was a killer.”
Vicky landed in the dance-off and was subsequently voted out after a Jive to Sound of the Underground by Girls Aloud.
Strictly’s Blackpool special is up next for remaining BBC stars
Next weekend on the show (November 22), the remaining stars head to Blackpool. They’ll perform their Week 9 routines at the iconic Tower Ballroom.
However, the trip to the seaside will end in heartache for one of the contestants. And that star will be either Balvinder or La Voix, according to Ola.
Asked if the EastEnders actress could survive another dance-off and win the series, Ola shared: “No. I think she’s been very lucky. It’s Balvinder or La Voix for me going next.”
Saturday night (November 15) marked the fourth time Balvinder has been in the dance-off.
Read more: Sara Davies receives backlash over her ‘distraught’ reaction to Vicky Pattison’s Strictly exit
