Jordan Banjo is a busy man. A proud dad to three young children, Cassius, six, Mimi, five, and 19-month-old Atreus, who he shares with wife Naomi, 32, Jordan may escape the school run but he has the joys of getting up “way before everyone else”. As the Breakfast Show DJ for KISS radio with his best mate Perry Kiely, he gets to wake up listeners across the UK every weekday morning. “I would do a national radio show over the school run any day,” he laughs.
The 31-year-old became a household name as one of the core members of dance troupe Diversity, alongside his big brother, Dancing On Ice judge Ashley Banjo, and Perri when they won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Be it on screen, radio or talking about being a dad, Jordan is as fun and easy-going as ever. Here, he opens up about how Christmas is shaping up at home, why he has been rooting for Oti Mabuse on I’m A Celeb (which he appeared on himself in 2016, and again in 2023) and which reality show he’d like to tackle next.
Hi, Jordan! How are you? Are you watching I’m A Celebrity?
I’m good. You know what, I actually haven’t been watching. I’ve been one of those people who’s watching all of it on TikTok. Watching all the clips of GK Barry is killing me. She’s making me laugh so much.
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Instagram/Jordan Banjo)Image:
ITV)Is there anyone in there who you’re rooting for?
I know Oti Mabuse. I’m going to root for her, no matter what. I haven’t seen what she’s been doing on the show but it is just blind loyalty in supporting Oti. She does Dancing On Ice and we did a show back in the day called The Greatest Dancer . I’ve always got time for Oti. She is one of the funniest people I know. She cracks me up. I think she would smash a trial.
How important is it to get those stars in challenges?
When people do rubbish the first few days, everyone’s forgiving. You’re still digesting the full English you had before you walked in. You’re not hungry yet. Then when you get to about a week and a half in and people say, “Sorry guys, tried my best, but I just couldn’t do it,” it starts to get annoying. Yeah, I hear it, but you know what you’re signing up for. Please win some stars, because if I have to eat one more spoonful of rice and beans, I’m gonna scream!
Would you do it again?
I did it the first time in 2016 and I got kicked out ninth out of 12 and then I did it again in 2023 and came second. So, I was like “OK, I’ve done well, there.” I wouldn’t want to go back a third time and come out 10th. Let’s say never say never, who knows.
Who would be your dream campmate?
I honestly think it would be my mum or my youngest sister. You miss everyone when you’re in there, so it’d be nice to have someone you know – from a selfish perspective. On the other hand, Mum would not survive an hour. If I want to play a prank on her, I’ll send her a picture of a mouse and she’ll scream and throw her phone across the room. She’d not be able to hack I’m A Celeb in the slightest. It would be golden viewing.
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Instagram)Would you do any other reality shows?
The more I hear about Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins... Everyone I speak to who’s been on it says, “It’s not like the other shows, it broke me.” Part of me is like, “I’d love to experience that challenge,” but on the other hand I’m like, “Absolutely not!” There’s a lot of pressure on me for Strictly. I think everyone assumes I’d be good at it because I’m a dancer, but I’d be so bad. I’ll never say never to any of them.
What about Bake Off?
Perri did the celebrity version and got Star Baker – he uses every opportunity to bring that up. One time we had a KISS radio party and had to dress up. Perri turned up in his Star Baker apron, I wanted to throttle him. He’s unbearable!
How are you making Christmas special for the kids?
I don’t get a chance because my wife’s so on it! I’m quite a tall guy, about 6ft 5in. My wife got a tree so big that I have to get the stepladder out to put the star on top. It’s ridiculous. She goes all out. I love Christmas as well – it is legit my favourite time of year. My birthday is on New Year’s Eve. You’d think it’s a great day to have a birthday until you’re nine years old and everyone’s counting down to the end of your birthday and you don’t know why.
You’ve worked on a campaign for Sky with your brother Ashley. What’s that about?
So, Sky found the top 10 most popular TV phrases from the last year and has added some as voice commands, so Ashley and I put it to the test in a new skit. The phrases added to their voice control for Sky Glass or Sky Stream are ones that have just become part of life. So, for me, something I found out was that “Lovely jubbly” came from Only Fools And Horses. I didn’t know that. You’ve got phrases from back in the day and newer ones like “I’ve got a text!” from Love Island. A personal favourite, as a huge Game Of Thrones fan, is “Winter is coming”. It’s definitely relatable right now.
If we asked Naomi or the kids, what would they say are your top phrases around the house?
Ha ha, probably “Stop doing that”, and then immediately after, “OK, fine, do it – just don’t tell your mum.” I have no authority in the house. My kids do not listen to me unless I say, “I’m gonna tell your mum!”
Diversity duo and TV fans Ashley and Jordan Banjo have recreated some of their favourite TV phrases from the list to show the new Sky voice control additions in action. Head to their social pages to see their own tongue-in-cheek interpretations of “Be honest” (Beckham) and “Winter is coming” (Game Of Thrones).
English (US) ·