Strictly's James Jordan and Shirley Ballas clash on social media over Ukraine

Former Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan and judge Shirley Ballas have had a difference of opinion over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The 43-year-old professional dancer has said he was "disappointed" not to see the Russian dancers he knew speaking out against the war on social media.

But head judge Ballas, 61, hit back that she has seen many dancers sending their support to the Ukraine during the ongoing crisis.

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Jordan, who is married to British-Polish dancer Ola Jordan, tweeted: "I don’t see many of the Russian dancers I know and have even shared the Strictly dance floor with them openly speaking out about the war against Ukraine. But are still promoting themselves on social media - very disappointed.

"They know who they are - not 1 post about it."

Ballas retorted: "Dear James. Not sure who you follow and who follows you but many dancers I know have retweeted in support of the Ukraine and have felt shame at their own government, lots of help for their fellow dancers Lots have spoken out and retweeted."

She added: "It's heartbreaking but in our Russian Ukraine dance community the support has been overwhelming. Sadness , tears , massive help and support. I don’t know any one who has not reached out from the very top dancer to the beginners. Xxx hugs."

Jordan replied: "We clearly are talking about different dancers then."

Strictly professional Katya Jones, who is Russian, has remained silent on social media since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fellow dancer Nadiya Bychkova, who is Ukrainian-Slovenian, has also chosen not to comment publicly on the crisis on social media.

Ukrainian dancer Nikita Kuzmin shared an image of the Ukrainian flag on Instagram captioned, "Heartbreaking".

And former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff — who is Russian — has apologised for any offence she caused by making fun of a report that Russia have been banned from the Eurovision Song Contest.

She added that she did not support Vladimir Putin or the war.

Rihanoff tweeted: “I made fun of Eurovision tweet by Sky. I did think there was far more important information on that day that Eurovision. This is in any form says I was supporting what’s happening at the moment between Russia & Ukraine."

She went on: “Seeing the news is breaking my heart as I have Russian friends who live in Ukraine and vice versa.

“The awful thing is that there is casualties on both sides and on both sides mums & dads will cry for their lost relatives.

“The point is that this shouldn’t ever taken place, never should have happened.

“The country leaders should have found the way a long time ago to sort this peacefully but they didn’t because war is profitable business and someone unfortunately making profit on this.

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“I’m not supporting Putin, war, invasion, lost lives and politics.

“I hate it as much as a human being possibly can.

“If I offended anyone it wasn’t my intention and I’m deeply sorry.”

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