Dancing On Ice could sign Brendan Cole as a judge for next series after shock Strictly sacking
BRENDAN Cole may be licking his wounds after being axed from Strictly, but his career could be about to explode now that Dancing On Ice bosses want him involved with the show.
The Sun Online can exclusively reveal that just hours after an emotional Brendan announced his departure, ITV bigwigs were rubbing their hands with glee.
An insider said: “There was a discussion at ITV and bosses think he would be an amazing signing if he could be part of the show in some form, most likely on the judging panel.
“No one has approached him yet but he's top of the wishlist and it’s clear he is destined for great things - he was a huge character on Strictly and really helped make the show what it was.”
“Brendan has a massive and loyal fan base and the hope is that they’ll follow him to DOI and make the show even bigger next year.
“While bosses haven’t ironed out any details or contacted him, they were discussing how brilliant the back-and-forth banter would be between him and acid-tongued Jason Gardiner.”
And as Brendan held back the tears on Lorraine yesterday while opening up about his axing, upstairs at ITV there was a much more celebratory mood.
The source continued: “To be honest, the team were doing cartwheels when they found out that Strictly had sacked him as they think he’d be the perfect fit over at ITV, he's such a huge personality and talent who really knows his stuff.
“His opinions may have annoyed people over at the BBC but that kind of feistiness is exactly what ITV want."
The New Zealander was on the primetime show for 13 years was visibly gutted as he revealed on Lorraine that the BBC has chosen not to renew his contract.
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.”
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He continued: “I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision.”
He went onto hint that his “strong character and strong opinions” were responsible for getting the shove.
Brendan said: “I’ve always known this day would come. To get to this point, the BBC make the decisions year upon year. It’s an editorial decision. I’m sure I’ll never know the ins and outs. I’m a very strong character within the show, I have my strong views.”
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