BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Brendan Cole's love life and 'savage' show exit
06.01.2024 - 17:23
/ ok.co.uk
Brendan Cole is the professional dancer known for his stint on Strictly Come Dancing, having been one of the most familiar faces on the show from 2004 to 2018. But his time on Strictly came to an end when he was shockingly let go after his contract was not renewed, leaving fans stunned. Like Anton Du Beke, Brendan had been a part of the show since it started in 2004 and was the first to be associated with the infamous 'Strictly Curse'.
Back then, he was engaged to fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup, but they ended things amidst whispers that he and his celebrity partner Natasha Kaplinsky had become more than just dance partners. Natasha, a newsreader, and Brendan both denied having an affair, while Camilla - who was dancing with antiques expert David Dickinson - likened their breakup to a 'mini-death'. In 2018, Brendan finally spoke up, suggesting that something did happen with Natasha - but only after he and Camilla had split.
"I've never talked about what relationship Natasha and I had on the show. What I did learn is that Strictly is not reality. It's a television show where emotions are very much heightened," he shared with the Daily Mail.
"I didn't cross any lines with Natasha. I was single. Camilla had ended the relationship very early on in the series so what happened happened after that.
"It was a harrowing time - winning the show as much as my friendship with Natasha. On the other hand it was like, Holy Moses. It can ruin a marriage so easily." Brendan, 43, has had his fair share of disagreements with the judges over the years.
He once criticised their pay, saying that despite working long hours, he couldn't afford a car. "My money from Strictly just about pays the bills. I don't have a car.