Ola and James Jordan reveal that their  daughter Ella, three, has been diagnosed with a heart murmur after she became 'very ill' before Christmas

Ola and James Jordan have revealed their daughter Ella was diagnosed with a heart murmur as they shared a health update on the three-year-old.

The former Strictly Come Dancing stars’ daughter was rushed to A&E in December and was later diagnosed with pneumonia and tonsillitis.

Speaking to Hello! for the first time about her condition, the couple said it looks as though her illness before Christmas may have been linked to her heart issue.

During the interview, the parents revealed they were told a couple of years ago about Ella’s heart condition.

They explained how they were told she might have a small hole in her heart – but that nothing could be done until she was ‘older and stronger’.

Ola and James Jordan shared an update on the health of their daughter Ella, three, revealing that she was diagnosed with a heart murmur on Monday (pictured together in 2023)

The former Strictly Come Dancing stars’ daughter (picture) was rushed to A&E in December and was later diagnosed with pneumonia and tonsillitis

However they also issued a positive update, with James, 45, sharing that Ella is now ‘around 85 per cent better’.

‘Ella was first diagnosed with a heart murmur a couple of years ago,’ Ola, 41, revealed to the outlet.

‘The, just before her second birthday, a doctor said: “I’m not sure about her heart; there’s a little hole that needs to be double-checked with another doctor.”‘

James added: ‘We were told that if she does have a hole in her heart, they can’t do anything until she’s older and stronger, so they suggested we wait.’

The family will know more after a follow-up appointment next month, but James said it would be a ‘massive operation’.

But it would seem the youngster may be on the mend, as James said that while her energy levels are low, she is getting better.

‘I took her to an indoor play centre the other day,’ he said. ‘That’s the first time she’d done anything energetic since having pneumonia and it knocked her for six.

‘You can see her energy isn’t quite back yet but she’s getting there.’

In December, James revealed that Ella, who turns four next month,  had been rushed to hospital when she came down with an ‘extremely high temperature’ after initially being told by a doctor their daughter had a simple viral infection.

Speaking to Hello!, the couple said it looks as though Ella’s illness before Christmas (seen in December) may have been linked to her heart issue – which they had not publicly spoken about before now

Ella’s condition did not improve over the next two days with medication and so they took her back to A&E

The Strictly Come Dancing professionals, who have been married since 2003 , welcomed Ella in February 2020 after a round of IVF

They felt the problem was more serious but took the doctors advice to continue giving her Ibuprofen.

However, Ella’s condition did not improve over the next two days and so they took her back to A&E and were met by ‘caring’ nurses and an ‘attentive’ doctor.

Sharing several snaps of Ella in hospital, James wrote: ‘My little warrior!! We are still at Pembury Hospital but she has finally turned a corner after 5 days and long nights of fighting an extremely high temperature.

‘It started Monday but on Wednesday night things got pretty bad and temperature was 40+ so took her to A and E at roughly midnight where a doctor gave her a quick look over and said it was a viral infection and told us to continue with Calpol/Ibuprofen and take her home and it would take its course.

‘I did try to say it seems more like a chest infection than a viral infection but I’m not the expert. He also told us that it wasn’t because he had listened to her chest.

‘After getting her home we kept a log of every time we gave her Calpol and then Ibuprofen (2 hours apart) alternating. After two more terrible nights of her temperature staying around 39 – 40 and her throwing up several times in her sleep.’

After returning to A&E, James and Ola discovered Ella was actually suffering with a chest infection and tonsillitis.

‘And even though we felt we were maybe wasting the doctors and nurses time and would look like overprotective parents – we decided to take her back to A and E.

He then went on to explain how her condition was thankfully improving saying: ‘She is doing much better and slowly on the mend lots of Daddy cuddle when we get home’

The couple both joined the show in 2006 before James left for pastures new in 2013 and Ola following two years later (pictured in 2012)

After returning to A&E, James and Ola discovered Ella (seen together in September) was actually suffering with a chest infection and tonsillitis

‘WELL!! What a totally different experience – we were met by caring and fun nurses who were 100% attentive and by a doctor that was so thorough and taking nothing to chance.

‘Ella clearly looked not well and was sent straight to X Ray – and almost immediately had bloods taken by a totally amazing team of nurses who I thank massively.

‘The results came back as her having a chest infection and tonsillitis.’

Two days later, the couple shared that they would likely miss the Strictly Come Dancing final as Ella was still in hospital.

Taking to Twitter James who appeared as a professional on the series between 2006 and 2013, wrote:  ‘Hi guys Not sure if we’re going to be home in time to watch Strictly LIVE which is a shame but we are still in hospital with Ella’.

He then went on to explain how her condition was thankfully improving saying: ‘She is doing much better and slowly on the mend lots of Daddy cuddle when we get home.’

Ola, 41, later took to social media took to Instagram to pay tribute to show finalists Ellie Leach , Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier

Later Ola, who also danced on the show between 2006 and 2015, took to Instagram to pay tribute to show finalists Ellie Leach, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier.

Writing: ‘Good luck to all the couples for the Strictly Final tonight. Here’s a picture of me and Chris winning in 2009 (when Strictly was in black and white feels like life time ago).

‘It was the most magical feeling knowing you all voted for us and we were the people’s champions.’

She went on to say: ‘That’s what I love about Strictly – it’s not always the best dancers that win but the ones the public fell in love with the most throughout the series or made the most improvement.

‘I’m so excited for all of them and can’t wait to catch up and watch it soon, Keep Dancing.’