Whoever gets Chris Ramsey is going to hit the jackpot

The 36-year-old said: “I did ten years and it was full-on. It’s six months out of your life to do Strictly without any weekends or days off.

“Being involved with the show was amazing but sometimes you need to know when to hang up your dance shoes. I’m too old now.”

Ola left in 2015 after a reported fallout over the sacking of her husband James Jordan the year before.

She had threatened to quit two years earlier after accusing a fellow pro of bullying her.

Polish born Ola also believes the so-called Strictly curse is not guaranteed to strike. She has been with fellow dancer James for nearly 20 years.

The curse has seen more than a dozen couples split since the show – which returns to BBC1 next Saturday – started in 2004.

“There are a lot of couples that have got together,” she said.

“It’s not wrong if you love someone and you want to get together. Why not?” But she added: “There’s been a lot of hurt people through it.

“I think Strictly is like a bubble. It’s so intense within the hours that you do.

“You don’t see your family and friends, you don’t have time to really do other different jobs.

“It’s so intense that you forget what’s around you. When you come out of the bubble that’s when you go, ‘Wow, what happened here?’ Strictly is so involved that it happens.”

Laugh

Celebs hit by the Strictly curse include model Daisy Lowe, 30, singer Louise Redknapp, 44, Countdown favourite Rachel Riley, 33, and presenter Stacey Dooley,

32. The latest victims were dance pros Neil and Katya

Jones who split earlier this month after 11 years.

Katya was snapped kissing comedian partner Seann

Walsh on last year’s series, which spelt the end of his long-term relationship.

With a l augh, Ola speculates that if she was to return to the show her dream would be to dance with a Hollywood actor.

During her years on

Strictly she was teamed with footballer Robbie

Savage, Hollyoaks actor

Ashley Taylor Dawson, late magician Paul Daniels

– and she won in 2009 with presenter Chris Hollins.

But asked who was her ideal partner, she replied: “Hugh Jackman! Obviously I’ve seen him on the stage. He’d be amazing. Or Channing Tatum!”

She says Geordie comedian and Celebrity Juice star Chris Ramsey, 33, is the contestant she thinks will be the most talked about this year – because he looks like being the most fun.

“I have seen the new line-up and I’ve got to tell you I really fancy Chris Ramsey,” she said. “I’m not saying he’s going to be a brilliant dancer because I don’t think he will win and be good.

“Whoever is going to get Chris is going to hit the jackpot. I think he’ll be such a good laugh and you spend so much time with them you want to have fun doing it as well.

“It’s not all about who is the best. I think he’s going to be fun to be around.”

During her time on the show

‘BULLYING’: Ola’s threat to quit