Brendan Cole Strictly: Star addresses Natasha Kaplinsky rumours 'It can ruin a marriage'
Brendan, who announced that he would be leaving the show after the BBC had not renewed his Strictly Come Dancing contract earlier this week, was at the centre of swirling rumours about his relationship with celebrity partner Natasha on the first series back in 2004. The New Zealand-born dancer split from his then fiancée Camilla Dallerup, also a professional on the show, after being paired with the newsreader amid allegations that they had been having a fling. The claims led to the start of the so-called Strictly ‘curse’, but both Natasha and Brendan denied reports of an affair. Now, Brendan, 41, has opened up about the rumours, insisting that what he and Natasha had did not “cross any lines”.
GETTY Brendan Cole Strictly: The dancer has addressed his relationship with Natasha Kaplinsky
WENN Brendan Cole Strictly: The star split from his then fiancée Camilla Dallerup
Brendan Cole on Strictly Come Dancing: His celebrity partners in pictures Tue, January 30, 2018 Brendan Cole's Strictly Come Dancing partners from Natasha Kaplinsky to Charlotte Hawkins. Play slideshow BBC 1 of 19 Brendan Cole on Strictly Come Dancing: His celebrity partners in pictures
“I’ve never talked about what relationship Natasha and I had on the show,” he admitted. “What I did learn is that Strictly is not reality. “It’s a television show where emotions are very much heightened,” he added. Brendan hinted at the effect that the Strictly bubble has in contributing to the ‘curse’, explaining: “It’s a unique situation and a fantastic show to be a part of, but when you take it away life just goes back to normal. “It’s a personal part of my life but there were certainly a lot of feelings and emotions,” he told the Daily Mail about his time on the first series with Natasha. “It was a hell of a time. I’d never been through a rollercoaster like that.
PA Brendan Cole Strictly: Natasha and Brendan were paired together on the first series
I didn’t cross any lines with Natasha Kaplinsky, I was single Brendan Cole for the Daily Mail
Stating that there was never an affair, he continued: “I didn’t cross any lines with Natasha. I was single. Camilla had ended the relationship very early on in the series so what happened happened after that.” Brendan, who is now happily married to Zoe Hobbs and awaiting the birth of their second child, spoke candidly about the toll which Strictly can take on a relationship, adding: “It was a harrowing time — winning the show as much as my friendship with Natasha. “On the other hand it was like, holy Moses. It can ruin a marriage so easily.” Brendan revealed that he was leaving Strictly Come Dancing in an emotional interview on Lorraine on Monday.
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