Brendan Cole Strictly wife (Credit: Channel 4)
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Brendan Cole discusses Strictly exit and new Celebrity SAS stint

The former Strictly pro is taking on a new challenge in Celebrity SAS

Brendan Cole introduces himself on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins as a former Strictly Come Dancing pro.

The 43-year-old star was on the show for 14 years until announcing in 2014 that the BBC had decided not to renew his contract.

But what happened exactly? Was Brendan Cole fired from Strictly?

Here’s everything you need to know…

Brendan Cole
Brendan Cole was axed from Strictly in 2014 (Credit: Splash News)

What happened between Brendan Cole and Shirley Ballas?

Brendan opened up about his Strictly axing during an appearance on John Bishop: In Conversation With in 2018.

The former pro revealed that he openly mocked Shirley on It Takes Two during her first week on the show – and his gag didn’t go down well.

When ask if he was keen to impress the new judge at the time, he said: “I’d imagine she’s more likely to be wanting to impress us, I’ve been on the show 15 years, she’s just showed up.”

Reflecting on his words, Brendan said: “Of course Shirley has seen it and gone ‘you little s***’.

“I knew the error of my ways as soon as I came off air.”

Realising his mistake, Brendan sent Shirley a text to apologise – but she never responded.

Shirley had her say on what happened during a chat with Hello: “One of the things people learn with me is I don’t need to pull someone else down to build myself up and I will live and die by that rule.

“There has been no face-to-face confrontation and all I can say is I wish him well.”

The Celebrity SAS star is happily married to wife Zoe Hobbs (Credit: Splash News)

Is Brendan Cole married?

Brendan Cole and wife Zoe Hobbs exchanged vows in 2010.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Aurelia, two years later on Christmas 2012.

Six years later, Zoe and Brendan welcomed their son Danté in March 2018.

The family live in Buckinghamshire.

TRAILER | Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins | Starts Monday 20th April 9pm

What does Brendan Cole do now?

Brendan has just finished filming the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

He’s on the show with the likes of Katie Price, David Bellew, Joey Essex and Anthea Turner.

Prior to lockdown, Brendan was touring the UK with his fifth theatre production Show Man.

The show features Brendan performing with five professional male dancer, four female dancer and nine world class musicians.

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is on Channel 4, Mondays at 9pm.

Have you been watching Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor