Calendar girl Ola tells BBC: I’ll still pose with Strictly nothing on
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Ola Jordan has defied BBC bosses by posing for a string of steamy shots for her forthcoming calendar.
Ola says she has no intention of toning down her provocative – and lucrative – calendars, despite fears by BBC executives that ‘tacky’ spinoff projects are damaging the hit show’s wholesome family image.
Ola, who is partnered with former Olympic 400 metre runner Iwan Thomas this year, said: ‘My new calendar will be as sexy as my last ones.’
In one image, the Polish-born dancer wears a skimpy red leotard, and the calendar is expected to feature her in semi-naked poses – similar to one in her 2014 calendar where she covers her topless chest with her arms.
Meanwhile, on the website Ola runs with her husband – former Strictly professional James Jordan – there are shots of her promoting face products and lingerie.
The sidelines are among a string of money-making projects launched by Strictly’s professionals. Last month, Kristina Rihanoff released a tell-all autobiography, including details of relationships with former dance partner and boxer Joe Calzaghe, and fellow professional Vincent Simone.
Kristina originally wanted to include the word ‘Strictly’ in the title but it was vetoed by BBC management, who are keen to control the image of the show. Ola’s defiance over her calendar isn’t the first time she has raised hackles at the BBC – she has also been outspoken about the difference in pay between the dancers and judges.
She said: ‘The judges all make a fortune. We get OK money. But compared to the judges? They sit one day a week and get a lot more than the dancers. Is that fair?’ Last year, Ola hurt a leg while training for Channel 4’s The Jump, where celebrities compete across a range of winter sports. BBC bosses were reportedly furious that she had jeopardised Strictly’s choreographed group sequence by sustaining an injury on a rival show.
Ola, who turned 33 on Wednesday, admitted: ‘I didn’t think I would be back this year because of my injury but I worked really hard to make myself come back.’
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC1 tonight at 7.15pm.