The dancer candidly admitted his ‘hero’ had urged him to stop so that he could be around to see his daughter Ella grow up.

Despite his physically demanding role as a dancer, James found himself smoking a minimum of 20 cigarettes a day for nearly three decades, yet told the Daily  Mail that his father and daughter were the only inspiration he needed to quit cold turkey.

James confessed: ‘It upsets me now to say it actually but I remember my dad saying to me, “I’m so sad I’m not gonna see your daughter grow up.”

‘And it just hit home really, “What am I doing smoking these bloody cigarettes? I don’t need to do this. If my dad can go what he’s going through, I can quit smoking for my daughter,” and that’s what I did.’

James’ father Allan died in March 2021 after battling a stage four brain tumour – a glioblastoma. The tragedy came 13 months after James welcomed daughter Ella with Ola.

James’s outing comes after it was revealed that he and Ola were reportedly living apart for months before announcing they’d split.

Sources are claiming that James told Ola he ‘needed space’, and has been living alone in a flat in Kent after moving out of their five-bedroom marital home.

 Back in 2022, James revealed he quit smoking after his late father had urged him to stop so that he could be around to see his daughter Ella grow up

Stepping out, James broke cover as he headed to the shops to pick up some bits

He looked downcast as he ditched his wedding ring

James kept a low profile as he picked  up two large Disney Princess shopping bags

His outing comes after it was revealed that he and Ola were reportedly living apart for months before announcing they’d split

A source said: ‘It was James’s decision to move out, he needed some space. It happened months ago. He has been holed up in a small flat in Kent.’

They went on to tell The Sun: ‘These past few months have been tough for James but he is trying to keep moving forward.

‘Ola has been supporting him as best she can but their decision to end their marriage has been incredibly difficult for both of them.’

The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for James and Ola Jordan for comment.

In the shared statement released this weekend, James explained how his ‘mental health hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time’.

The joint statement began: ‘After 26 years together, this is something we never imagined we would be sharing. Following recent reports in the press about our relationship and after receiving messages asking if everything is okay, we feel it’s important to speak directly rather than let speculation or hearsay tell our story.’

‘We have always tried to be open and honest with the people who have supported us over the years and we feel it’s only right that this update comes from us.’

‘At the moment we’re taking some time apart as we work through very difficult personal challenges. (James) moved out of the family home some time ago. This has been an incredibly painful and emotional journey for us both and it certainly wasn’t an easy decision.’

They went on to say their ‘absolute priority’ is their six-year-old daughter Ella.

They said: ‘Our absolute priority, now and always, is our beautiful daughter Ella. She’s at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to co-parenting her with all the love, care and stability she deserves.

‘Speaking personally (James) my mental health hasn’t been in a good place for quite some time. I’ve been struggling more than I’ve let people see and I’m taking the time I need to focus on getting myself into a healthier place, both for myself and for Ella.

‘Neither of us is in a good place right now. We’re both doing our best to navigate one of the hardest chapters of our lives and we ask that people remember there are real people and real emotions behind every headline, every comment and every post.’

‘We don’t know exactly what the future holds. For now, we’re taking things one day at a time, doing what we both believe is best for ourselves, our family and most importantly….. Ella.’

‘We’re incredibly grateful for the love, kindness and concern so many of you have shown us over the years.’

James has previously spoken about how he battled with crippling anxiety following the death of his beloved father Allan in 2021.

He said at the time how his grief made him feel extremely weak, he woke up panicked thinking someone had broken into his house and he experienced severe anxiety.

Citing his daughter as a Godsend, James said his family, specifically his wife and dance partner Ola, had pulled him out of the emotional and dark time.

Fans wrote in the comments: ‘Take care & look after yourself & I hope you both can find each other again’ and ‘Sending love’.

James and Polish-born beauty Ola first met at a dance competition in Blackpool in 1999 and married four years later.

They were initially dance partners before their professional relationship developed into romance, James proposed two years later and the couple tied the knot in October 2003.

They welcomed their daughter Ella in February 2020 via IVF following a three-year fertility battle.

The pair shot to fame as professionals on BBC One celebrity competition Strictly Come Dancing, which they both joined in series four back in 2006.

James bowed out of the show after season 11 in 2013, while Ola left at the end of series 13 in 2015.