Never one to hold his tongue, James – who was axed from the show in 2014 – offered his opinions on the new series, with him already tipping Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton for the final.
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Irish presenter Whitmore’s Strictly partner, Italian dancer Pernice, has just come out of a relationship with Georgia May Foote – the actress recently announced their split on Twitter.
Meanwhile a show insider told the Daily Star that Jordan is “bitter and twisted” over Strictly.
The admission came in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr show today. He will be joined by Craig Revel-Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell as they cast their judgement over this year’s crop of celeb contestants.
The 2016 series launch kicked off with record audience figures and drew in an average of 9.3 million and peaked at over 10 million.
Saturday night’s third X Factor episode of auditions was beaten by Strictly, although the rival shows were not broadcast at the same time.
Strictly proved more popular than The X Factor, which attracted 8.3m viewers.
ITV’s X Factor launch show last weekend was watched by 6.8 million (34% share) and peak of 7.5 million.
ITV denied the The X Factor was suffering and said the episode’s figures are up year-on-year – the same episode last year was watched by 7.7 million.
The ITV show was broadcast after BBC1 show Strictly finished at 8pm.
Have you ever fancied a night of glitz and glamour surrounded by celebrities watching Strictly Come Dancing being put together live on BBC One?
Strictly’s blockbusting viewing figures come just days after The Great British Bake Off pulled in 10.14 million viewers – nearly half of those watching television in the United Kingdom between 8pm and 9pm – for the second episode in its latest series.
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Claudia Winkleman has quit the BBC’s movie review show, Film 2016, after six years of fronting the programme.
