Brendan Cole speaks out on Shirley Ballas Strictly Come Dancing ‘feud’

Brendan Cole has spoken out about his ‘feud’ with Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas.

Shirley joined Strictly last year, replacing Len Goodman as head judge.

But there were rumours that she and pro dancer Brendan didn’t see eye to eye behind the scenes.

Brendan has now spoken out, claiming he had apparently got on the wrong side of Shirley when appearing on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.

Recalling how he was asked about wanting to impress the new judge, Brendan revealed: “I went, ‘I’d imagine she’s more likely to be wanting to impress us, I’ve been on the show 15 years, she’s just showed up.’

“Of course Shirley has seen it and gone ‘you little s**t’. I knew the error of my ways as soon as I came off air.”

He told John Bishop: In Conversation With (via the Daily Mirror): “I sent her a message saying, ‘Didn’t mean any offence, just making good telly.’ I didn’t get a reply.”

Shirley herself previously dismissed the suggestion of any ‘feud’ between the pair.

“I don’t have any recollection on a personal level of bridges ever being broken or rebuilt between me and Brendan,” she said.

Speaking to Hello magazine, Shirley heaped praise on Brendan after his exit from the show.

“He is an amazing dancer, an amazing person, whose career I have followed for many, many years and I’m extremely proud of what he’s achieved both at work and at home,” she said. “One of the things people learn with me is I don’t need to pull someone else down to build myself up and I will live and die by that rule.

“There has been no face-to-face confrontation and all I can say is I wish him, his wife and their two beautiful children well because, whatever he does next, I know he will bring 100% to his role.”

Brendan had been a pro dancer on the show for the past 14 years but announced his exit on ITV’s Lorraine earlier this year.

Brendan revealed that the BBC had decided not to renew his contract in January

“They’ve made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show,” he said. “I’m in shock. I got a phone call. I’ve had 15 incredible series.”

Brendan admitted: “I’m disappointed. I’ve always known this day would come. I’m a very strong character, some don’t like that. I’ve never been contracted for more than one year. I still wanted to be part of it. My passion is still very much there.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.