Shirley Ballas has addressed long-standing claims surrounding Brendan Cole’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing, reopening a chapter of the show’s history that continues to spark debate years later. The head judge, often referred to as the “Queen of Latin,” responded to suggestions that her arrival on the panel played a role in Cole’s sudden exit in 2018.
Brendan Cole was one of Strictly’s original professional dancers, having appeared on the show from its very first series in 2004. His removal after 14 years shocked both viewers and the dancer himself, particularly after reports emerged that he had been labelled “difficult to work with.”
At the time, Cole publicly expressed his disappointment, describing the decision as an unexpected “editorial call.” Speaking on Lorraine, he admitted he was deeply hurt by how abruptly his time on the show came to an end, insisting he had received no warning beforehand.
Cole later reflected on a moment he believed may have contributed to his downfall. During a critique from Shirley Ballas following a performance with Charlotte Hawkins, he responded with the phrase, “I will, my dear.” While he later acknowledged that the comment sounded patronising, he maintained that he never intended any disrespect and regretted how it came across.
He explained that the intense pressure of Strictly can magnify even the smallest missteps, turning fleeting moments into defining controversies. Cole suggested that the scrutiny surrounding his behaviour ultimately worked against him.
However, Ballas presents a very different perspective in her memoir, Best Foot Forward. She claims that her relationship with Cole was strained from the outset and describes what she perceived as a consistently condescending attitude towards her role as head judge.
According to Ballas, an early interaction set the tone for their uneasy dynamic. She recalls Cole suggesting that it was her responsibility to prove herself to the professional dancers — not the other way around — a remark she says left her feeling undermined before she had even settled into the role.
While both parties acknowledge the tension, their accounts highlight how differently the same moments were experienced. What Cole saw as pressure and misunderstanding, Ballas viewed as a lack of respect.
Years on, the exchange remains a reminder of how fiercely competitive — and emotionally charged — life behind the Strictly ballroom can be, even for those who helped build the show from the very beginning.
