Brendan's Strictly Heartbroken

After 13 years on TV, the kiwi dancer is trying to put a positive spin on his axeing.

- Marc Baker

Dancer Brendan Cole hit the big time when he left his native New Zealand to join the cast of the smash TV series Strictly Come Dancing more than 20 years ago.

But in a new interview, the professional ballroom and Latin American dancing star has spoken of his anger after being suddenly axed from the hit BBC1 show, which screens all around the world.

Brendan, who was born in Christchurch, was hoping to re-join the dancing cast of the series later this year in a bid to further his career and support his growing family, with him and wife, model Zoe Hobbs (36), welcoming their second child last month – a baby boy named Dante.

But in January, show bosses decided to pull the plug on his longstanding association with Strictly without a valid reason for their shock decision.

Today, heartbroken Brendan is still reeling from the news as he prepares to carve out a new future for himself.

“When the news came through that Strictly no longer wanted my services, I was devastated and disappointed not to be back there with all my buddies and doing what I love,” he tells.

“It’s very hard to talk about. The BBC has not renewed my contract. They made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I’m in shock. I’m quite emotional. It’s still very hard to talk about. It’s just a recent decision. I’ve always known this day would come.“