James Jordan insists Anton Du Beke has a "right" to be the new 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge.
James Jordan
The outspoken professional dancer - who quit the show in 2014 - doesn't think BBC bosses should be considering anyone else as a replacement for Len Goodman because his fellow pro is "more qualified" to sit on the panel than even current judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell are.
Asked who should replace Len, he said: "Anton Du Beke, no question, he's the perfect person. They'll really mess it up if they don't have him. They've messed up a few times with decisions they have made, but that's one decision that should be very clear. Anton has been there since the beginning and he's more qualified than the three other judges on the panel. Fact.
"He has more right to be there, he's funny and people love him."
But James admitted he would also "love" the judging role - though he thinks it's unlikely he'd get it.
Asked if he wants the job, he said: "I would love to. I'd be really good but the BBC aren't calling me about it."
Whoever gets the job, James will be hoping the panel mark much more fairly next year, having repeatedly accused them of being bias towards eventual winner Ore Oduba ahead of show favourite Danny Mac, who he believes is the best celebrity dancer to ever appear on the show.
He told OK! magazine: "I didn't [expect Danny to win]. I think the judges were marking unfairly. Brendan Cole wrote an article about how unfair the marking was. As a professional who has been dancing for over 30 years, it's very clear who is better than someone else. It was frustrating.
"In my opinion, the judges should all be ashamed of themselves, they were wrong.
"When somebody is given 10s after loads of mistakes, it's ridiculous. Danny should have been the top of the leader board."
His wife, fellow professional dancer Ola Jordan, added: "It makes a joke and a mockery of the show."
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