Arlene Phillips on Brendan Cole's shock sacking
I think the show needs conflict, excitement and challenges
Original Strictly Come Dancing judge, Arlene Phillips, expressed her outrage in the BBC's decision to drop Brendan Cole from the next series. Arlene knows only to well what it's like to be made to feel past your sell by date on the BBC show, and the pain he must be feeling now.
One of only two remaining original professionals on the show, Brendan Cole announced yesterday he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 14 with the show. Cole claimed in an emotional interview that he is to leave because the BBC has not renewed his contract.
"This is quite hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract - we get renewed year on year - and they made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I'm a little bit in shock. I'm quite emotional, a bit raw about it."
He explained he found out via a phone call, and said: "Its 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. I'm disappointed. It's very hard to talk about. It's a recent decision."
The dancer hinted that the decision could be due to his "strong views", that he often expresses on the show: "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."
Cole auditioned for the role of head judge after Len Goodman's departure but was passed over in favour of Ballas, which led to tension.
Watch the full interview with Arlene Philips in the video above.
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