Saturday 24 September 2022 02:32 PM Strictly Come Dancing's James Jordan fumes over Neil Jones not being partnered ... trends now
Strictly Come Dancing legend James Jordan was left fuming over Neil Jones missing out on being partnered with a celebrity in new series for the fourth time in six years.
Neil never made the main line-up this year after BBC bosses brought in three new foreign dancers - Italian stallion Vito Coppola, Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas from Cyprus and Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu.
James, 44, took to Twitter to express his frustration with the show, claiming the decision was 'very strange'.
Not happy: Strictly Come Dancing legend James Jordan was left fuming over Neil Jones missing out on being partnered with a celebrity in new series for the fourth time in six years
A fan asked ballroom dancer James: 'Why does Neil miss out again?'
James - who is married to fellow Strictly star Ola Jordan - replied: 'Very strange - such a shame they don't use the talent we have in this country. Especially when he has the best pedigree.
'Nothing against the foreign dancers as my wife was one of them BUT too few home grown so why not Neil???'
Each year on Strictly, not all pros get a pairing as there are more professional dancers than celebrities. This year there are 20 pros and 15 celebs.
MailOnline has contacted BBC and Neil Jones' representatives for comment.
On the side lines: Neil never made the main line-up this year after BBC bosses brought in three new foreign dancers
Angry: James, 44, took to Twitter to express his frustration with the show, claiming the decision was 'very strange'
After joining Strictly six years ago, Neil - holds many titles including UK, British, Dutch, European and World Latin Champion - has been paired with EastEnders star Nina Wadia in 2021 and BBC sport's Alex Jones back in 2019.
Neil is British but was born in Munster, Germany, and started dancing at a local ballet school at the age of just three.
The Strictly Come Dancing pairings were revealed on Friday's pre-recorded launch show, postponed from its previously air date due to the Queen's funeral.
Champion: After joining Strictly six years ago, Neil has been paired with EastEnders star Nina Wadia in 2021 and BBC sport's Alex Jones back in 2019 (pictured with Kataya Jones)
The highly-anticipated launch show had originally been due to air on September 17, but had been postponed due to it being just two days before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place on September 19.
For the first time in Strictly history, there will be two same-sex pairings in one series, with reigning champion Giovanni taking to the dancefloor with DJ Richie Anderson.
Elsewhere, Helen Skelton will take to the floor with Gorka Marquez after becoming a last-minute addition to the show, while Katya Jones has been partnered with footballer Tony Adams.
Other stars to appear on the latest season include the likes of comedian Ellie Taylor and Coronation Street star Kym Marsh.
The fifteen couples have been working hard in the training room, with their debut performance set to air during the first Strictly live show on Saturday, with the judging panel scoring each dance out of 40.
The pairs will then deliver a second performance the following week when the public vote will open, before a results show on Sunday reveals which two pairs received the fewest votes and must compete in the dance off.
The judges will then decide which couple they would like to save, and the other pair will be eliminated.
Making history: For the first time in Strictly history, there will be two same-sex pairings in one series, with reigning champion Giovanni taking to the dancefloor with DJ Richie Anderson
Dusting off their paddles were returning judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
While viewers were no doubt sad not to see show favourites Aljaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse, who both quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year.
This series has also seen the introduction
