FORMER Strictly dancer Brendan Cole has been forced to make a grovelling apology to 16-year-old YouTube stars Max and Harvey after his “bitchy” backstage comment was caught on camera.
The 43-year-old was filmed appearing to argue back against Simon Cowell’s praise of the pair’s huge following.
As the children’s TV presenters introduced themselves on stage, they told the judges: “We have a few followers on social media.
“We have eight million all together across social media.”
The camera then cut to Brendan talking to his co-star Jeremy Edwards, telling him: “They say they’ve got eight million across social media.
“But the reality is they’ve only got a chunk on each and it’s all the same.”
Refusing to take Brendan’s rude remarks lying down, Max and Harvey cheekily responded: “Hey @jqedwards @brendancole – there’s this app called Tik Tok where we have a lot of awesome fans!!! Maybe we can make a post on there together sometime??”
Red-faced Brendan replied: “I don’t know what you just said but OK!
“It did sound very bitchy (shame on me) but make no mistake… you smashed your songs, ours one song was pants and your talent speaks for itself.
“I’m off with my tail between my legs and you are amazing! Soz boys! You are amazing.”
Max and Harvey, who shot to fame on the app musical.ly three years ago, will take to The X Factor: Celebrity stage this October.
The influencers have almost six million followers on the channel, and have since launched their own children’s show Max and Harvey: Fomo.
Meanwhile Brendan was sacked unexpectedly by Strictly Come Dancing bosses last year.
Despite being the first winner of the show when it launched in 2004, the BBC chose not to renew his contract in January 2018.
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Insiders say he’s chosen to appear on rival channel ITV as a “two fingers up” to his old bosses.
He’s teamed up with his pal Jeremy Edwards as a duo for the show.
Actor Jeremy has appeared on Hollyoaks and Holby City.
He was slammed by viewers for throwing a hissy fit when judges didn’t know who he was.
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