Shirley Ballas has responded to a former Strictly Come Dancing professional who was reportedly let go after a heated disagreement with the head judge. Brendan Cole, who was removed from the BBC dance competition in 2018 amidst claims of being “challenging to collaborate with,” hinted that his conflict with Shirley may have influenced his departure.
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine back then, the New Zealand-born ballroom dancer, who had been part of the popular show since its inception in 2004, expressed his shock at the decision. He mentioned that an “editorial decision” was made for him not to return to the program, expressing his emotional disappointment.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Brendan reflected on a moment when he used what he described as a “patronizing” phrase in response to Shirley’s critique of a dance he performed with Charlotte Hawkins from Good Morning Britain. Despite feeling uncertain about the on-air handling, Brendan clarified that he did not become aggressive and disagreed with the feedback, including Bruno Tonioli’s advice to show more respect.
Although he regretted his choice of words, Brendan explained that his aim was to support Charlotte and secure their position in the competition despite knowing they were not among the top-performing couples. He emphasized the challenges of navigating the show’s environment and the repercussions of any misstep.
Shirley addressed the situation in her 2025 book, Best Foot Forward, where she disclosed Brendan’s skepticism towards her before she assumed the role of head judge. She recounted an incident where Brendan allegedly made disparaging remarks and implied that his actions stemmed from not being selected for a role he may have auditioned for.
According to Shirley, Brendan engaged in various attempts to undermine her authority, leading to a critical confrontation during the competition, symbolized by the “my dear” incident in week three. Shirley suggested that Brendan’s actions were aimed at belittling her but eventually backfired.
Catch Shirley on Saturday Kitchen Live on BBC One today (Saturday, January 10), from 9:45 am to 11:15 am.