'Strictly Come Dancing' star Ola Jordan opens up about bowling alley attack: 'I'm afraid to go out now'

Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan has said that an unprovoked attack earlier in the summer has left her afraid to go out.

The professional dancer was targeted while at a bowling alley in Croydon, South London in July. Speaking to The Sun, she admitted that she had "never been so scared".

Jordan said: "It was three in the afternoon so I thought it was safe. It wasn't a nightclub in the early hours - there were loads of kids there. What happened was so unexpected. I was sitting with my friend and some of the boys went outside for cigarettes.

"We were chatting, then out of nowhere this woman came up to me and said, 'I'm gonna f**k you up'. I think she recognised me but I can't say for sure. I pleaded with her to go away and I put my arm up as she was getting very close."

Recalling the incident, Jordan continued: "She was so big and was towering over me, almost on top of me. Then she took a step back and I thought she was backing off. But she lunged at me and punched me hard in the head. It was really powerful and pushed me into my chair.

"The woman still kept coming. I grabbed my handbag and tried to run for the door. I just wanted to get away. I hate arguing and thought if I did say something back to her she would hurt me more, maybe even knock me out. She had two children with her and it all happened right in front of them."

Jordan said how she had called for people to get her husband James, also a professional dancer on the BBC show.

"By now she was with a man who I assumed was her other half. I had my phone and took pictures of them in case they ran away. The guy got really angry," she continued. "I had to hide behind the reception desk. Then James ran in.

"He was confused because he hadn't seen what had happened. I think he felt bad that he didn't do anything but I'm glad he was outside in a way, as who knows what would have happened if he wasn't?"

Karina Charles, 29, of Catford, South East London, admitted common assault when she appeared at Croydon magistrates' court on August 16.

Jordan, who will partner a new celebrity in the upcoming series, added: "I feel so much more wary now about where I go because it felt like a safe place. It was afternoon, broad daylight and that happened."

> Ola Jordan: 'I'm insecure about my body'

Watch Ola Jordan dance with Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris Hollins below: