Brendan Cole appeared close to tears as he explained the decision. Photo / ITV
Brendan Cole appeared close to tears as he explained the decision. Photo / ITV
Brendan Cole has announced he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years with the show.
He is one of the only two remaining original professionals, along with Anton Du Beke, and has been part of the show since 2004.
Cole claimed in an emotional interview that the BBC has not renewed his contract.
The New Zealand-born dancer appeared close to tears as he told ITV's Lorraine: "This is quite hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract – we get renewed year on year – and they made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show.
"I'm a little bit in shock. I'm quite emotional, a bit raw about it."
He explained he found out via a phone call, and said: "I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I'm very proud of the whole show. It's a great team.
"I'm disappointed. It's very hard to talk about. It's a recent decision."
The dancer hinted that the decision could be due to his "strong views", that he often expresses on the show: "I've always known this day would come. I'm sure I'll never know the ins and outs. I'm a very strong character within the show, I have my strong views."
Cole auditioned for the role of head judge after Len Goodman's departure but was passed over in favour of Shirley Ballas, which led to tension.
He argued with Ballas on the show and was dismissive of her in interviews. A BBC insider said: "Brendan tested as the new judge and didn't get it, and perhaps that made him bitter.
"He said things about Shirley in public that were not pleasant. It felt like the right time to refresh the line-up."
The New Zealand-born dancer was on the show for 14 years. Photo / Getty Images
He seemed emotional when he voiced his feelings about no longer being on the show: "To feel I'm not going to be part of it anymore is… It's changed our lives dramatically.
Sad news from my dance partner @BrendanCole this morning that he won’t be a part of @bbcstrictly anymore. What an end of an era - he’s been such an integral part of the show since it started 15 series ago. It won’t be the same without him 😔😔
"I think about everyone there, and I think b****y hell, I'm not going to be part of that team, and they are still going to be there.
"I will still watch, I'm a big fan, I don't like the decision though."
The dancer also claimed the BBC had recently stopped giving him the best partners.
Sad to hear @BrendanCole now not part of @bbcstrictly Not only a brilliant dancer/choreographer/teacher, it was wonderful to have someone with such experience of the show. It’s a wild, wonderful and bonkers environment and he helped me enjoy it and gave others advice too 💃🕺
He said his recent "partners haven't been able to do what I've wanted to do. No disrespect to them".
"I haven't had one of the ones that had a bit of dance experience, which you can really challenge, like in the old days when I was young and handsome."
Cole, 41, starred in every series of the show, and won the first series with partner Natasha Kaplinsky.
We'd like to thank @BrendanCole 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.
His former dance partner, Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins, tweeted her disappointment.
She wrote: "Sad news from my dance partner @BrendanCole this morning that he won't be a part of @bbcstrictly anymore. What an end of an era - he's been such an integral part of the show since it started 15 series ago. It won't be the same without him."
Former Strictly dancer James Jordan tweeted: "Just seen my mate @BrendanCole has not been asked back on Strictly. Seems like they don't want anyone on the show that has an opinion. Especially when he played a massive part in making the show what it is today. Wishing him all the best in his future endeavours. Will be missed."
Many on social media appeared upset by the decision, criticising the BBC:
Nope...huge mistake @bbcstrictly ...@BrendanCole isnt just a pro dancer..his character is a big part of the show..we want pros who will question the judges and defend their partners..#strictly will become meh without that!!! #bigmistake#nothappy 😑
Wrong decision by @BBCOne@bbcstrictly The show won’t be the same without Brendan Cole. So disappointed they have not renewed his contract. Seeing him so upset on @ITVLorraine was awful. Really gonna miss him
A BBC spokesperson said: "We'd like to thank Brendan 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."
