Former Strictly pro James Jordan finally admits he does have the edge on Dancing On Ice rivals

If a professional dancer challenged you to a dance-off, would you feel at a disadvantage? Its a yes from us.

So former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan does admit that his dance background will give him a head start on his Dancing On Ice competitors when the skating competition kicks off next month.

The clues in the name, really.

The 40-year-old previously tried to quash the assumption that he had an unfair advantage but there are a few skills hell be using to outweigh the novices.

Speaking ahead of the launch in nine days time, James said: I think Ive probably got an advantage over people, where I can maybe sell a performance… as long as Im still standing upright!

If someone said “were doing an emotional dance this week” then I should be able to do that, which for example a sportsperson may find more difficult.

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He added: Remembering choreography, I suppose, but its not steps and Im used to remembering steps. This is something totally different.

I do have some advantages for sure, I understand that but I cant ice skate. Were all starting pretty much from the same place. Im not going to be one of these people that say it doesnt make a difference that Im a dancer because of course, it does.

James, who is partnered up with pro skater Alexandra Schauman, admits that hes most worried about the lifts, because its bad enough when my feet are on the floor.

He said: It is very different if youre lifting someone and your feet are planted on the floor to when youre lifting someone and youre on ice skates. The fear must be horrendous.

James is also worried about relinquishing control after eight years of eight celebrity pairings on Strictly, wherein a female would have to put complete trust in him to teach and take the lead.

The dancer, who is married to former Strictly co-star Ola Jordan, was the third celebrity to be announced for the competition, back in October.

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At the time, he said that he was shocked by his own skills on the ice and blamed his age for canceling out any kind of advantage of his competitors.

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I can dance but Im a lot older than I used to be, he said. People are going to probably say Ive got an unfair advantage but when I got on the ice I actually shocked myself how bad I was.

James continued: I want to be able to impress Torvill and Dean more than anyone else, but Im a lot worse than I thought Id be.

Former Celebrity Big Brother contestant James will face off against TOWIEs Gemma Collins, Coronation Street actress Jane Danson, singer Brian McFadden, actor and Love Islands Wes Nelson when the competition kicks off on January 6, 2019.

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