STRICTLY fans were left shocked when Brendan Cole revealed he had been sacked from the show in 2018.
But why was he fired and what did Camilla Parker-Bowles have to do with it? Here’s what we know…
When did Brendan get sacked from Strictly?
On January 30, 2018 Brendan – who has been on Strictly since the show started in 2004 – confirmed that his contract with the BBC has not been renewed and he will no longer be a part of the TV talent series.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine he said: “It’s quite, actually, hard to talk about.
“The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year. They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team.”
He continued: “I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision.”
Was Brendan’s feud with Shirley Ballas the reason he left Strictly Come Dancing?
Brendan’s behaviour towards to head judge Shirley Ballas was apparently the final straw for Strictly bosses, who had decided enough was enough.
The Sun Online revealed the panel forced bosses to drop the dancer following his on-air spat with the new head judge.
A insider told us: “It was the final nail in his coffin. That was the moment when they decided they’d had enough.
“The judges felt he was putting her down publicly and he thought he knew better than the head judge.
“They thought it was totally disrespectful.”
It was also reported Brendan’s attitude towards Shirley was fuelled by the fact she got the job of head judge and he didn’t.
Brendan also claimed he was fired from Strictly because Shirley wanted to sleep with him, but he knocked her back.
Shirley is said to be furious by Brendan’s claims.
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Was his dance with Camilla Parker-Bowles another reason Brendan was sacked from Strictly?
On February 20, 2018 The Sun reported how Brendan was axed from Strictly after waltzing with Camilla Parker-Bowles at Buckingham Palace.
BBC chiefs and show judges were raging after Brendan ignored a briefing and asked the Duchess to dance on a festive special.
The Sun revealed judges on the show — including Craig Revel Horwood— were raging that he took matters into his own hands by asking the Duchess of Cornwall to dance.
A Strictly source said: “It was the last straw, they saw he couldn’t be controlled.”