Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan has confirmed she will leave the show, ending almost a week of speculation about her future.

Mrs Jordan, from Maidstone took to Twitter to break the news as around seven million people across the UK were expected to tune into Saturday night's Blackpool Tower special.

The 33-year-old thanked fans for their support during an 'amazing' ten years, but said the time had come for her to make a change.

She said: "...things change and I feel it's time for me to move onto other things. I love Strictly and have met some amazing people and made some great friends who I will miss massively. I am so grateful to the show for what it has given me.

"I also want to thank all of you for your continuous support throughout the show. You will never know how much it means to me, I love you all."

Mrs Jordan's shock revelation comes the same day The Sun published claims made by her that the show is fixed to keep favoured couples in the competition, something show bosses have strongly denied.

After making her debut on Strictly in 2006, Mrs Jordan, originally from Poland, went on to become the tv programme's longest-serving female dancer. In 2009 she partnered with journalist Chris Hollins to beat Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe to the championship prize.

But such luck didn't hold and this year Mrs Jordan and her partner Iwan Thomas became the first couple to be booted out of the competition.

The surprise exit came just one year after she injured her leg during training for Channel 4's The Jump.

Previous dancing partners include Steve Backshall in 2014, Ashley Dawson in 2013 and Sid Owen in 2012.

Mrs Jordan, who previously lived in West Malling has also been active at events locally. In July she performed along with her husband James at Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert.