Former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan has taken aim at the BBC series, as he launched a scathing attack on the show's judges.

The 45 year old pro dancer, who is married to Ola Jordan, also a dancer, has said that the reason he's never been asked to join the Strictly judging panel is because he's "not a puppet".

Currently, the panel includes head judge Shirley Ballas, dancer Motsi Mabuse, former Strictly pro Anton Du Beke, as well as the notoriously hard-faced Craig Revel Horwood.

But James, who left Strictly as a pro dancer in 2013, claims that the judges are "told what to say" by producers – and will often use their scores and comments to influence where stars land on the leaderboard.

Speaking to The Sun, James said: "Being a judge was kind of made for me because I'm very honest," said James. That's what people like and dislike about me. Sometimes I say what people are too scared to say, but I sleep well at night.

"I am what I am, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm not saying I'm always right with my opinions but I always tell the truth. I'm not a puppet. I was on Strictly for eight years so I know how to behave myself. I work hard and know it's not all about me. However, if I was going to be a judge I wouldn't be told what I have to say.

"I would say what I believe is true. I think maybe they're a bit scared I'd say the truth. Surely that's what the public want to see."

OK! has contacted BBC for comment.

In the wake of James' comments, a Strictly insider issued an equally-as-scathing one, as they said that the Strictly judges are "highly regarded in their field", as they added this is the reason James Jordan "would never be asked to be a judge".

Recently, James fumed after head judge Shirley Ballas awarded her first ten score of the series.

Eddie and dance partner Karen Hauer took to the floor with the series's first Couple’s Choice as they performed a unique dance to Men in Black, the theme song to the hit sci-fi comedy of the same name, on 7 October.

Speaking on Hello!'s Strictly The Truth podcast and YouTube series, James Jordan fumed: "That tens gone now, you can't bring that back. That's the first ten of the series, for that dance?

"Did she pick up the wrong paddle? We need to ask her. I think maybe she picked up the wrong paddle", he joked, before adding that some of the pros seemed confused at the scoring.

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