Kiwi Brendan Cole dancing with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - and President of the National Osteoporosis Society. Photo / Getty Images
Kiwi Brendan Cole dancing with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - and President of the National Osteoporosis Society. Photo / Getty Images
He announced his shock departure from the UK's Strictly Come Dancing last month.
And now it has been reported that Kiwi Brendan Cole, 41, was axed from the much-loved BBC ballroom stalwart after he broke protocol and waltzed with the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace in December.
According to The Sun, the former Dancing With The Stars judge left show bosses furious after he disobeyed orders and asked Camilla to dance during a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
The publication added that Brendan's actions left show runners up in arms that he broke his rank, which was allegedly the "last straw" and proved he "couldn't be controlled".
Cole's reported breach happened as he joined his fellow pros and show judges at a tea dance in aid of an osteoporosis charity, which was organised by Craig Revel Horwood.
While a senior Strictly source told the publication: "The event had been very carefully orchestrated, largely due to Craig's friendship with Camilla — and everyone, including Brendan, had been given an extremely clear briefing.
"...Each of the professionals was to pair up with the guests while Craig danced with Camilla. But Brendan being Brendan had to make it about him and ignored everyone and made a beeline for Camilla — who politely didn't cause a scene."
Adding: "Everyone was outraged by the cheek of his actions, he always has to be centre of attention. It was the final straw for everyone involved with the show and the BBC. They just realised he couldn't be controlled."
Following his dance floor stint with the royal, Brendan discussed the encounter on his Instagram feed in November, which has since been deleted.
He shared: "I love this. I asked the delightful Duchess of Cornwall if it was OK to ask her to dance? Luckily she said yes. What a charming host and wonderful day."
In light of the claims, a spokeswoman for Brendan denied the reports to MailOnline: "I can confirm that these assertions are absolutely, categorically untrue. There was no such brief from BBC."
MailOnline has also contacted a rep for Strictly Come Dancing.
The latest reports come after furious Strictly producers "sacked fiery Brendan after 13 years and 15 series on the show for creating negative press and for his on-air outbursts," saying that "no one is bigger than the show", sources told MailOnline late last month.
The professional dancer broke down in tears on ITV's Lorraine as he revealed he has been axed - and a source told MailOnline: "Producers were said to be furious over his recent interview, in which he criticised his celebrity partners.
"They've always tolerated his rows with the judges as it creates drama and acceptable headlines but this was a step too far."
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, centre, poses with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers. Photo / Getty Images
Another source said: "The producers believe no one is bigger than the show.
"They've been struggling to recruit celebs in recent years and the producers thought this interview was a step too far in terms of negative press for the show, made it more difficult to recruit celebrities and was may have been a factor in the decision to not renew his contract."
Brendan previously said about his celebrity partners in the interview with The Sun: "I don't have a say in who I am partnered with. I don't think you would do it if you knew who some of them were. Can I say that? I'm going to get fired, aren't I?"
He also said: "I have not liked a few of them. It is more than 50 per cent of them I have liked. When you meet people and work with them you don't necessarily like all of them."
Cole with Strictly partner Kelly Brook in 2007. Photo / Supplied
The emotional star, who famously rowed with new head judge, Shirley Ballas, during the last series, as well as Bruno Tonioli, talked about his shock sacking on rival channel, ITV, and said: 'This is hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract.'
He added: "They have made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I have had 15 incredible series on the show, they are a great team. I am very disappointed. It's an editorial decision. I will never know the ins and outs."
Meanwhile, a second source told MailOnline: "The judges did not want him back. The rows he had in the last series with judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli were the last straw.
"Brendan was stubborn and did not back down, which created an atmosphere backstage at the last series.
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole at the CLIC Night of the Stars Ball in 2004. Photo / Getty Images
"The producers believe no one is bigger than the show. Not one judge has reached out to him which says a lot. He was not popular. His time was up and it seemed like Brendan was the last to know."
The BBC told MailOnline last month: "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."
