Within hours of Brendan Cole’s shock announcement that he had been sacked from Strictly Come Dancing, fans turned on head judge Shirley Ballas to blame her for his departure.
Brendan looked visibly upset as he revealed on ITV1’s Lorraine that his contract had not been renewed after 15 years with the show.
And now fans have vented their outrage, suggesting that Brendan has been booted off the show after confronting Shirley.
Brendan – who has been on Strictly since the show started in 2004 – argued back with Shirley when he disagreed with her feedback on his routines with Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins last series.
It’s also been heavily reported that he was bitter that he lost out as head judge when Len Goodman retired, when bosses plumped for the Queen of Latin instead.
One fan said: “Hope it wasn’t because of his disagreements with Shirley Ballas. Just saying.”
Another said: “Huge mistake not renewing Brendan Cole’s contract, especially if the rumour about Shirley Ballas being at the bottom of it is true.”
One vented: “Should have been Shirley Ballas that went, not Brendan Cole.”
Whilst another pointed out: “People are wondering why Brendan Cole is no longer in Strictly after 15 years…Shirley Ballas! #Strictly”
Many called for Shirley to leave the show instead, having only been there for one season.
Shirley has known Brendan for years and she used to socialise with his former girlfriend and ex-Strictly pro Camilla Dallerup.
Referring to their on-screen argument, Shirley previously told The Sun: “He’s confrontational. Every other professional was extremely respectful, very well-mannered, ‘How are you Mrs Ballas? You’re doing a good job’.
“I was quite surprised. I got my feelings hurt because when he was with Camilla all those years ago they came to our home, had dinner.
“But again, in my industry I’m used to that.
“He’s going on chat shows saying, ‘I’m her equal’ and this, that and the other. I don’t need to put somebody else down to build myself up.”
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Talking about the decision for Shirley to join the panel as head judge, Brendan made no secret of his feelings.
He said: “It would have been a natural progression from being a dancer on the show.
“I was obviously disappointed that I didn’t get it but at the same time my place has always been a dancer on the show.”
Talking about his departure to Lorraine Kelly, he said: “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.”
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