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tying the knot

James Cracknell is ENGAGED to his new girlfriend Jordan Connell nearly two years after his divorce from Beverley Turner

JAMES Cracknell is engaged to his girlfriend of 17 months Jordan Connell nearly two years after finalising his divorce.

The Olympic rower, 48 met the American financier, 35, when he studied at Cambridge University in 2018.

James Cracknell and Jordan Connell are engaged after 17 months of dating
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James Cracknell and Jordan Connell are engaged after 17 months of datingCredit: Rex Features

The couple confirmed they are set to wed in an announcement in on Monday.

Jordan spoke in 2019 about the impact she feels she's had on James's life.

She told the : "I like to think I make him happy, too. 

"When internet trolls were making cruel comments about his dancing and 'wooden personality' on Strictly I thought, 'How can you put that? You don't know him.'' I know he feels things very deeply." 

James and his then wife Beverley Turner on the red carpet in 2006
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James and his then wife Beverley Turner on the red carpet in 2006Credit: Getty - Contributor
The couple pictured in 2017 a year before their divorce
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The couple pictured in 2017 a year before their divorceCredit: PA:Press Association

The dad-of-three's happy news comes nearly two years after his divorce from Beverley Turner after 17 years of marriage. 

Beverley, 46, recently took a swipe at her ex by saying the "grass is greener" with her toyboy lover 14 years her junior.

Beverley Turner has gushed about her new relationship with James Pritchett
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Beverley Turner has gushed about her new relationship with James PritchettCredit: The Mega Agency

She said: "It turns out that not only is the grass greener, it's also softer, quieter and I am enjoying lying upon it, feeling the sunshine on my skin and watching the horizon with excitement - not fear."

The Sun on Sunday first revealed she'd found love with the 32-year-old eco-house developer James Pritchett back in September.

Opening up about the romance for the first time in , Beverley said: "The universe has sent me a wonderful new partner via a mutual friend.

"He happens to be a domestic god 14 years my junior, who built a surprise vegetable patch in my garden when I was on holiday with the kids, created an outdoor cinema screen and replaces light bulbs on the day he notices that they're blown.

She's now loved up with someone 14 years her junior
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She's now loved up with someone 14 years her junior

"He listens when I simply need a rant. He is as good at spinning me round on the dance floor as he is at running me a bath."

She ended her marriage to James with a quickie divorce in July last year after admitting the struggles they have faced since James suffered brain injuries when he was hit by a lorry on a cycle ride in the US.

The accident left him with epilepsy, a changed personality and a short temper.

James was the first to be booted out of Strictly Come Dancing last year
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James was the first to be booted out of Strictly Come Dancing last yearCredit: PA

Talking about their separation, Cracknell said: “It will be a different family unit.

“Hopefully it will all work out with the kids.

“It’s not going to be the same but they are important.

“Both Bev and I dealt with the emotional stuff and got over it.”

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A month after the divorce, James went public with his new Cambridge University student girlfriend  Jordan Connell.

He signed up to Strictly Come Dancing last year and was the first to be booted out.

For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online, where we will bring you live updates as soon as they happen, before anyone else.

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