Brendan Cole has revealed he left Strictly Come Dancing after an explosive row with bosses, during which he used the C-word to describe head judge Shirley Ballas three times and couldn't promise he wouldn't do it again.
Cole's confession
In a new interview, the New Zealand dancer, who starred on the show from 2004 to 2017, said: "I don't condone the C-word. And at the time, I apologised for using it, but I wasn't going to backtrack on it and say, 'Well, it wasn't true', because I thought it was true. Listen, I love Shirley."
He added: "I think she's a great judge. At the time, I didn't think she was particularly nice to us, and I vocalised that. Some would argue to cost me the gig."
Exit after BBC boss departure
Cole explained that he knew his time was up when a BBC boss who had promised him a job as long as she worked there left for Channel 4. He left the show shortly after her exit.
His co-star James Jordan, who appeared on Strictly from 2006 to 2013, also revealed his outspoken backstage opinions led to his departure. He said he was "always sticking up for the professional dancers" and "eventually got asked to leave the show because I was maybe too outspoken".
Jordan, who recently announced his separation from wife Ola after more than 20 years of marriage, described a professional dance routine as "s**t" and "an insult".
Tour and legacy
Both dancers are preparing for their Dance Rebels: Strictly Unleashed Tour, starting in April 2027. Cole won the first series with Natasha Kaplinsky in 2004 and later danced with Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowdon and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Jordan competed with Vanessa Feltz and Alex Jones, reaching the final with Denise Van Outen and Pamela Stephenson.
Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Shirley Ballas and the BBC for comment.
