Shirley Ballas Responds to Brendan Cole’s Claims About Exit

Shirley Ballas has publicly addressed comments made by former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole regarding his departure from the popular BBC show. Cole, who was part of the series since its inception in 2004, was eliminated in 2018 amid allegations of being “difficult to work with.” His exit raised eyebrows, particularly after he suggested that a conflict with Ballas, the head judge, contributed to the decision.

During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, Cole expressed his shock at being let go, describing it as an “editorial decision” that left him “quite emotional and a bit raw.” He felt disappointed by the outcome, especially as he had been a long-standing member of the Strictly family. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he reflected on a specific incident involving Ballas. After she critiqued a dance he performed with Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins, Cole admitted that he may have responded in a “patronising” manner, particularly when he said, “I will, my dear,” in response to her suggestion that he review a video of the tango.

Cole acknowledged his regret over the phrase, emphasising that he did not intend to come across as patronising. He stated, “I’m not a patronising person,” and explained the pressure he felt to perform well in the competition. He added, “If I could work it out, I would. All I know is you can’t put a foot wrong… because it will be taken, it will be run with, and before long, you’re in a s***storm.”

Shirley Ballas’s Reaction and Reflections

In her 2025 publication, Best Foot Forward, Ballas responded to Cole’s remarks, asserting that he had expressed scepticism about her appointment as head judge prior to taking over from Len Goodman. She recounted an incident during an interview with Zoe Ball, where Cole suggested that the professionals should not be eager to impress her, indicating a lack of respect for her role.

Ballas wrote, “When [It Takes Two] host Zoe Ball asked him if all the pros were going to be ‘desperate to impress’ me, he pompously fired back that it was me who should be looking to impress them.” She believed that his comments set a negative tone and contributed to the tensions that followed. Furthermore, Ballas suggested that Cole’s frustrations may stem from not being selected for the head judge position himself.

The conflict reached a boiling point during week three of the competition with the aforementioned “my dear” incident. Ballas claimed that Cole was “trying anything and everything” to undermine her authority, which ultimately led to a public fallout.

Ballas is set to appear on Saturday Kitchen Live on BBC One on January 10, 2025, from 09:45 to 11:15 GMT, offering viewers a chance to see her in a different light amid the ongoing discussions surrounding her relationship with former colleagues.