Enjoy the tour! Strictly so long for Ola and James Jordan as they bid farewell to their ballroom friends at cast Christmas party
By Georgina Littlejohn
Last updated at 3:39 PM on 20th December 2011
They were unceremoniously dropped from next year's Strictly Come Dancing UK tour after being told they 'wouldn't be needed'.
But even though Ola and James Jordan are still very party of the ballroom dancing show family, last night gave them the opportunity to wish their friends a Merry Christmas - and the best of luck on the tour.
The couple were one of many guests at the 'Post-Strictly/Pre-Midnight Tango Party' thrown by dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace at the One for One nightclub in Mayfair, central London.
Loved - but no wanted: Strictly Come Dancing professionals Ola and James Jordan arrive at a party held by fellow dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace where they wished them good luck on the upcoming show tour
Celebrity dancers from past and the most recent show were there as they toasted Christmas with a few drinks - and no doubt a boogie or two.
But the party also gave Ola and James the chance to say goodbye to their friends before they all head off on the Strictly tour next month.
Ola, 29, and James, 33, who have been married for eight years, were told last week that they would not be joining the tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on January 20.
The hosts: Dance partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone held the party for their Strictly friends at a nightclub in Mayfair
James took to his Twitter page last Tuesday to tell fans he had received an email from tour bosses telling him and his Polish wife that they had been dropped.
He wrote: 'Myself and Ola will definitely NOT be doing the Strictly Tour! Just received an E-MAIL to say we are not needed!!'
According to sources, the reason they were not included in the 2012 tour is down to James and his behaviour behind the scenes.
I'm so proud of her: Queen's Brian May arrived with his wife Anita Dobson, who was partnered with Robin Windsor on this year's show
Say cheese! Brian took his camera out to snap some photos of his own
They said his bust-ups with show judge and tour director Craig Revel Horwood were the real reason the husband and wife team were left out.
One said: 'James's behaviour this year has been getting worse and worse. He has been throwing strops on live television and his behaviour has really annoyed show chiefs.
'This decision certainly came as a surprise to the Jordans - but bosses have thought James in particular needed a reality check for a long time.'
Glamorous: One of this year's contestants Nancy Dell'Olio and former celebrity dancer Louisa Lytton also attended
She's back! Former judge Arlene Phillips was also at the bash looking very seasonal in her animal print trim coat and chic black dress
A spokesperson for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour said: 'Unfortunately, with 14 celebrities and 14 professional dancers in the Strictly Come Dancing television show it is simply not possible to take everyone on tour.
'The celebrity line up for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is not confirmed until quite late, largely due to the busy schedules of the celebrities and their existing commitments.
'Once the celebrity line up is confirmed, the tour is able to confirm the professional dancers accompanying them on the tour.
In the party mood: Dancer Robin Windsor and former celebrity contestant from last year, actor Jimi Mistry
Good friends: Vincent and Robin greet each other with a hug and a smile for the cameras
'Since the first tour in 2008 there have been changes to the line up of professional dancers and, on this occasion, Ola and James are not in the professional line up.'
Also attending last night's party were a mixture of professional dancers and celebrities from the last and past series.
Nancy Dell'Olio was there looking her usual glamorous self as well as former contestant and EastEnders star Louisa Lytton.
Anita Dobson, who was paired with Robin Windsor this year, who also showed up, arrived with her rock star husband Brian May, and former judge Arlene Phillips was also on the guest list.
Sexy: Ola in a her slinky catsuit dancing with celebrity partner, retired tennis player and TV presenter Andrew Castle
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2076493/Strictly-Come-Dancing-tour-2012-So-long-Ola-James-Jordan.html#ixzz1h5eI3hqK
