Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has admitted he "doesn't buy" the on-screen chemistry between dancers and celebrities, saying he expects "cracks" to appear on screen. The dancer, who spent 14 years on the BBC series, made the comments ahead of the 2026 Movie Week episode.
14-Year Tenure on Strictly
Cole joined Strictly as one of the original dancers when it launched in 2004 and won the very first series alongside newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. That remained his only victory before his exit in 2017.
Speaking to The Express, the professional addressed the chemistry on the show and reflected on his pairings, many of which he endured through "gritted teeth."
"I Just Don't Buy It"
Cole stated: "I didn't really take much notice of the chemistry, because they're all so gushing over each other."
Speaking via Sky Vegas, he continued: "Everyone is so hell-bent on showing that they're in the most wonderful relationship and so happy with their partners, and I just don't buy it."
He added: "So, I look forward to the cracks starting to leak through our screens, so we can see that they don't love each other, they're not going to be best friends for life, and we just get a bit of normality in what we're watching."
Past Clashes with Partners
Cole confessed: "I've had partners where, through gritted teeth, I've smiled and been charming and been nice. But eventually, with fatigue, when you're a little bit tired one day, and you haven't got the patience to push through the BS, the cracks start to show, and not just from the pros to the celebs but from the celebs to the pros as well."
He concluded: "It's particularly hard to keep up a front on a show like Strictly, because if you stay in the competition long enough, the fatigue will get you. Then it all blows up, there's a big fight and a big argument, and it's all your fault because you're the pro and you're supposed to hold it together."
The New Zealand native had his own bust-ups during his tenure, notably clashing with singers Lulu and Anastacia. During his 2011 partnership with Lulu, the singer admitted she was initially horrified after finding out she got Brendan. Later, on Loose Women, Cole described Lulu as "not a particularly nice person" and said the feeling was mutual. With Anastacia, the pair were reported to be constantly bickering over routines; Cole said they were "strong-minded individuals," while the singer described their dynamic as "feisty."
