Brendan Cole opens-up about Strictly Come Dancing's bitter backstage tensions
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His departure from Strictly Come Dancing has shocked fans.
But, for many, the writing has long been on the wall for fan favourite Brendan Cole - and the 41-year-old is among the first to admit it.
In fact, the father-of-one has recently opened-up about the bitter backstage tensions.
Since announcing the news on ITV's Lorraine, he's reflected on the dysfunction that often coloured his on-screen experience.
(Image: WireImage)
Most notably, his spat with new head judge Shirley Ballas — which first came under strain after Cole made a comment on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Specifically, he called her "my dear", which others said was patronising.
At the time, Shirley said: “He’s confrontational. Every other professional was extremely respectful.”
(Image: BBC)
Speaking to the Daily Mail , yesterday, he said: "I don’t know if that was handled the right way on air. If you disagree with somebody, which I did that particular day about the way she felt we danced the tango, you have the right to say what I did.
"They’d asked if we were going to try to impress Shirley and I said, she’d have to try to impress us because we’d been here for 15 series.
"I apologised to her for that but I never received a response. The several times I’ve had to speak to her I have always been polite but on those occasions I didn’t get that back — I didn’t get anything back actually."
(Image: BBC)
He added: "If I could take that back I would. You can’t even dip a toe on the other side within that world because it will be taken, it will be run with, and before long you’re in a s**tstorm".
Not that he didn't have tensions with other people, of course. Brendan also had spats with Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood.
In 2010, he told Len to “go to Specsavers” after he called his jive with Michelle Williams “disappointing”. “You need to turn up, keep up and shut up,” Len shot back.
Meanwhile, Craig didn't allow him on the Strictly Live Tour after a falling out years ago.
Brendan also failed to get on with partners like Lulu, who openly disliked him, while singer Anastasia claimed he injured her by pushing her too hard.
Yesterday, Brendan said: “I’ve always known this day would come. My passion is still very much there. I’ll miss being a Strictly dancer.”
(Image: PA)
Putting a brave face on his newly open diary, he joked: “I’m available for weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs…”
The BBC posted a tweet earlier this week which said: "We'd like to thank Brendan Cole for being part of the show since the beginning - winner of the first series - and for the contribution he has made to its success.
"We wish him all the very best for the future."