Former Big Brother star James Jordan lifts the lid on the reality show, his dream housemates and his thoughts on the upcoming series.
James Jordan is no stranger to the Big Brother house, starring on the show back in 2014 and again in 2017. And despite making headlines both times for his fiery personality and blunt opinions, the Strictly star says he would relish a chance to return as a housemate.
Speaking to online casino Betway, the 46-year-old also reveals that while he butted heads with Kim Woodburn during his appearance on the All Stars series, he was left stunned by her demeanour when he saw her off camera.
The star – who is married to fellow former Strictly star Ola Jordan – also dishes on his dream fellow housemates, including Margot Robbie and Donald Trump, and reveals his one Big Brother regret that he wishes he could undo.
Would you ever want to go back on CBB?
Yes, because I want to be the first person to do it three times. I did it first in 2014 when Gary Busey won and then the 2017 All Stars when Coleen Nolan, who I adored, won.
Would you do anything differently?
I think I’d just probably be more aware of how you can be edited if you’re not careful. And I think, because I’m so outspoken, if you take something I said out of context, then it can sound a lot worse than it is if it’s within context. I think I would think more about what I say to people. But I’d probably get to the stage where I’d stop caring too. It’s in my nature to say what I’m feeling!
Is there an incident on CBB that you regret?
I still cringe when I think about the time I described myself as the Brad Pitt of the dancing world. What you probably didn’t see on the show is that Gary (Busey) was really winding us up. He kept going on about how much more famous he was than all of us. How he was Hollywood and we couldn’t compare. He’s a funny character and I liked him but the conversation went on for a while before I turned to him and said: “You do realise that everyone that’s in here is in here on their own merit?” and he just dismissed that and insisted his fame was next level. So I said “let me put this in perspective. I am the Brad Pitt of the dance world”. I was saying it in a joking way but when I realised how it may come across, I was horrified. I still cringe now.
How did you deal with negativity following your appearance?
It didn’t bother me. If they didn’t edit me the way I looked in 2014, I probably wouldn’t have been asked on for All Stars. I was a controversial character and that made for good TV. And at the end of the day, everything that they put out there, whether it was taken slightly out of context or not, I still said it or did it. The words still came out of my mouth. I’m definitely no dainty flower. So for Ekin Su to insinuate she was edited in the wrong way is a bit confusing because she still said those things, she still had those mannerisms. Whatever you did to receive a negative reaction, just own it. Everyone has a reason nowadays to be offended by something. If you chose to do Big Brother, you know they love controversy and if you sign up to a TV show, you have to understand they’re making entertainment. Don’t do Big Brother if you’re the type of person who can’t handle negative feedback when you get out. I’m the opposite. I’d never say my life was ruined because of how I was edited. I chose to do a show and I took that risk. It’s like when people complain about Dancing on Ice being dangerous. What did you expect? If you fall on the ice, it’s going to hurt. There’s always an element of risk with Big Brother.
Alison Hammond revealed she got asked to do CBB and turned it down. Do you think that was a wise career move?
Alison’s a lovely girl and loved by everyone. She doesn’t need to do the show. I don’t think she would ever risk changing people’s opinions about her but equally, CBB is a challenging show and people have changed public perception about them for the worse. So it can be a risk and it’s not one Alison has to make with the success she has.
Big Brother is also a very testing show. They can deprive you of sleep or food…
Yeah and they play games by messing with the heating. I remember one morning we woke up and it was baking in our bedroom. And they’d locked the doors so we couldn’t get out. Audley Harrison was going mad and they had to let us out in the end because he’s a big bloke and he would have torn the door down.
You’re not afraid to give your opinion straight. Is your wife Ola the same?
No, I would say she’s always been the more placid one. I’ve always been a lot more fiery, but we’ve been together 25 years, and I would say there’s definitely been a switch. I’ve chilled out more, and she’s definitely got more bite. She doesn’t hold back with me. If I was such a bad person, there’s no way she would have been with me this long. And she definitely knows how to defend herself. Now, let’s put it that way, she gives me an opportunity. She wears the trousers.
Would OIa ever consider going on CBB?
Yeah she would. If you’d asked her years ago she would have said no because she’s not one for confrontation. But you only get confrontations if you’re a confrontational person. Ola wouldn’t get involved unless she needed to. Unlike me, who finds confrontation funny!
Is there anyone you still speak to from your two times on the show?
Yeah, I still speak to Coleen Nolan, Bianca Gascoigne and Jamie O’Hara. I saw Calum Best the other day too. I used to speak to George Gilbey but we sadly lost him last year.
What’s your fondest memory of George?
We were like Tweedledee and Tweedledum in the house together. He just had this infectious personality and I remember waking up and hearing him laughing. We stayed in touch and went on golf holidays. He was a lovely guy and it’s just so tragic. I feel so sad for his mum.
You were on Big Brother with Kim Woodburn in 2017. Have you had any run-ins with her since?
Yeah and she was lovely! It was strange. She was really nice and easy to chat to. No matter what she says, she was putting on an act. She was trying to throw Coleen under the bus and say she’s a horrible person but Coleen is a sweetheart. Kim went into the house with a game plan and she tried to stir up drama. She had an agenda. She says we ganged up on her but she started on all of us. She went into the house and acted badly with everyone. Apart from Jedward, who I don’t like either!
You were also on the show with Spencer Pratt. He’s been painted as a villain in the past but had a recent popularity boost on TikTok. Do you think he’s misunderstood?
Big Brother is a tricky show because how you act can depend on who you’re in the house with. The first time he did the show, everyone hated him. But during my time with him, I loved him and Heidi. I found them lovely to be around and we’ve stayed in touch. I don’t have a bad word to say about him. I’m sure people from his first Big Brother stint would say he’s an a**ehole. But I can only judge people from how I find them and I liked him a lot. He probably just understood the show and knew the drama was good for ratings. He doesn’t necessarily go looking for confrontation but he’s not afraid of it.
Do you think Big Brother has lost its magic?
It’s survived a lot over the years, including three channel changes! It’s still going strong and people are still interested. It’s changed a bit because the world has changed, I suppose. People are afraid to say certain things and offend. CBB used to be a place where there was nowhere to hide and things were laid bare but I do wonder now whether people hold back or producers are cautious about what they show.
Do you think contestants play it too safe?
Yeah. And I think ITV aren’t keen to try and stitch anyone up. But when people sign up for Big Brother, they’re gonna think twice about the sort of things they say.
Chesney Hawkes, Patsy Palmer and Jack P Shepherd have been rumoured for the show. What do you make of the names?
Amazing. All of them. I did a few events with Chesney and he seems like an amazing guy. Patsy is a legend, so she’d be great. It could be a great series.
If you were going back on CBB and could pick your dream housemate, who would it be?
Margot Robbie. Just me and her in the house! I’m kidding. I’d actually love to see Donald Trump. I want to see what he’s like beyond his political views. I would want to see whether he could be a bit of a laugh, and I reckon he would be!