Arlene Philips sympathises with Brendan Cole after sacking
He shocked fans when he announced he had been axed from Strictly's line-up earlier this week, after 13 years on the show.
And while Brendan Cole has received a seemingly lack of public support from his co-stars, former judge Arlene Phillips has sympathised with the 41-year-old professional dancer.
The famed choreographer, 74, who was cut from the show in 2009, revealed she knows what the outspoken dancer is going through, likening his sacking to 'divorce'.
Reaching out: Former judge Arlene Phillips has sympathised with the 41-year-old professional dancer, likening his sacking to 'divorce'
'It happens, it’s divorce by telephone, you get a phone call and suddenly it’s like ‘hello, my family’s gone,' she told the Mirror.
'I understand what Brendan is going through.
'Suddenly you are dropped and all the big fish have swum away from you.'
Axed: Brendan Cole shocked fans when he announced he had been let go from Strictly's line-up earlier this week, after 13 years on the show. Pictured with Charlotte Hawkins in 2017
Arlene's comments about Brendan come after she was axed from the beloved ballroom show herself nine years ago, after six series.
She added that despite a viewers campaign to reinstate the New Zealand dancer, producers 'won't change their mind'.
There's been little support from his fellow co-stars, as the judges on the show have kept quiet and only one of his pro dancer co-stars have publicly acknowledged the matter with a tweet.
Honest: When asked about Brendan's sacking on the show, Arlene said: 'I was shocked. 'I think the show needs conflict, excitement, challenges. He’s always been the outspoken one'
The choreographer appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier this week, where she admitted she was 'shocked' by the news, and claimed the show needs 'conflict, excitement and challenges'.
GMB's Charlotte Hawkins, who was his partner on the 2017 series, added that Brendan had been nothing but supportive during their time on the show - causing co-host Piers Morgan to joke she was to blame, as his 'worst performing partner'.
When asked about Brendan's sacking on the show, Arlene said: 'I was shocked – normally if anyone goes it’s in June, but this has happened so close to the New Year.'
Brendan was known for his outspoken and rule-breaking nature, which Arlene said the show needs in order to keep it more entertaining and exciting.
'Anton [du Beke] is as much loved as Brendan,' she said.
'He has always been the bad boy. There’s no doubles.'
Unfair: She added: 'Anton [du Beke] is as much loved as Brendan. He has always been the bad boy. There’s no doubles'
Axed: Arlene was axed from the ballroom show herself in 2009 - leading the BBC to be accused of ageism (pictured with Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli)
Back in 2009, the BBC were accused of ageism after they dropped Arlene from the judging panel and replaced her with pop star Alesha Dixon - who is 36 years her junior.
She admitted in an interview with Good Housekeeping last year: 'I’ve never really been given a real reason [as to why I was axed]. I don’t think I will ever know the answer.'
During the interview with Arlene, GMB host Charlotte expressed her own disappointment at his sacking, as Brendan had very fully supportive as a partner during their time on the 2017 series.
Addressing his famous row with new head judge Shirley Ballas after their Tango, she said: 'I felt he had my back and he was defending me. That week we had tried to come back fighting after a bad week before.'
Arlene added of the so-called spat: 'I think it was mild. And Bruno jumping in, too - what are they, in school? This is a professional show.'
Unprofessional: Arlene added of the spat: ' I think it was mild. And Bruno jumping in, too - what are they, in school? This is a professional show'
Heartbroken: Brendan broke down when he revealed he had been cut from the show on Tuesday, during a live television interview with Lorraine Kelly
Brendan broke down when he revealed he had been cut from the show on Tuesday, during a live television interview with Lorraine Kelly.
The emotional star, who has served on the show for 13 years, said: 'This is hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract.
'They have made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I have had 15 incredible series on the show, they are a great team. I am very disappointed. It’s an editorial decision. I will never know the ins and outs.'
Upset: The emotional dancer said: 'I am very disappointed. It’s an editorial decision. I will never know the ins and outs'
Brendan, who was partnered with GMB host Charlotte on the last series, implied that his strong opinions may have had something to do with him losing his position on the show.
He famously locked horns with new head judge Shirley when he took her to task over her criticism of his and Charlotte's tango, to Danger Zone by Top Gun.
Len Goodman's replacement said of the routine: 'It’s definitely a little bit better…' to which Brendan remarked: 'A little bit?'
Not happy: He famously locked horns with new head judge Shirley Ballas (above) when he took her to task over her criticism of his and Charlotte's tango, to Danger Zone by Top Gun
Firm: When Bruno Tonioli scolded Brendan for being 'disrespectful' after Shirley's criticism of their routine, he said: 'I do respect her but I just don't agree'
Shirley retorted: 'Yeah definitely just a little bit Brendan, unfortunately. We've established that there is no rise and fall in tango, you have to make a concrete decision not to use rise and fall.'
Brendan, who had also been tipped for the role of head judge after Len's departure, snapped back: 'I'm really sorry but there was no rise and fall in that.'
Bruno then stepped in to defend his co-judge, adding: 'I'm not an expert, I've only done about 500 shows but I think Shirley's right, you should be more respectful,' he chided.
Pledging his respect to her, Brendan explained: 'I do respect her but I just don't agree'.