World Champion professional dance duo James and Ola Jordan have been unveiled as judges for No5 Barristers’ Chambers flagship charity event.

The reality TV husband and wife will head up the judging panel at Strictly 9 to 5, a glittering dance competition raising much needed funds for the Child Brain Injury Trust and Whizz-Kidz.

James and Ola were ranked in the top 12 dance champions in the world before joining the BBC hit dance programme in 2007, and proved popular with their famous dance partners and the public. Since leaving the show both have gone on to appear in various reality TV shows including I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity Big Brother.

Strictly 9 to 5 sees representatives of the Bar, solicitors, clerks and other legal professionals paired with a professional dance partner who then compete to lift the coveted glitter ball trophy.

This year’s prestigious event, now in its third year, promises to be bigger and better than ever and will be held on Friday, June 16th at Birmingham’s ICC with BBC Strictly Come Dancing favourite Brendan Cole on compering duties.

The 10 novice dancers, who have been in training since January, will each perform a ballroom dance on the night, with audience members given the opportunity to vote for their favourite dancer.

The confirmed competitors are: 

  • Will Theaker, Practice Group Clerk at No5 Barristers’ Chambers 
  • James Osborne, Solicitor at Harrison Clark Rickerbys
  • Laura Ralfe, Associate at Irwin Mitchell
  • Jodie Kembery, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Barrister at No5 Barristers’ Chambers
  • Joanne Walker, Associate at Higgs and Sons
  • Lauren Crow, Solicitor at Cartwright King
  • Steven Reed, Commercial Barrister at No5 Barristers’ Chambers 
  • Richard Horvath, Lloyds Banking Group
  • James Walbeoff, Litigation Executive at Slater and Gordon Lawyers
  • Siona Spillett of Fieldfisher

The Child Brain Injury Trust was established in 1991 and is the leading charity providing support, information and guidance to families affected by childhood acquired brain injury across the UK. It receives no Government funding and relies solely on donations. The Trust has a national network of child and family support co-ordinators who deliver support to families and professional in hospital, home and in school.

Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of over 20,000 disabled children since 1990. There are thousands of children in the UK who need the right equipment to fit their young lives. Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children and young people with vital mobility equipment, opportunities to meet and have fun, and training to help them gain skills and look forward to a brighter future.

For more information about Strictly 9 to 5, visit no5events.com/strictly9to5-2017