Strictly’s Shirley Ballas hits back at Brendan Cole
STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has said she’d love to return to the show next year — but couldn’t resist taking a swipe at dancer Brendan Cole.
The pair fell out when Brendan defended his dance partner, Good Morning Britain host Charlotte Hawkins, over criticisms Shirley made about their tango.
Ballas told Charlotte she ‘needs to stand on her own feet’ and claimed there was too much ‘rise and fall’ in their version of the dance.
But Brendan wouldn’t accept this, vowing to rewatch the sequence himself, which earnt him a warning that he should ‘be respectful’ from fellow judge Bruce Tonioli.
Now Shirley has spoken out against Brendan, branding him ‘confrontational’.
‘Every other professional was extremely respectful, very well-mannered,’ she said.
‘I was quite surprised. I got my feelings hurt because when he was with (dancer) Camilla (Dallerup) 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.’
Despite these words, Shirley did offer an olive branch, saying she would accept an apology from him ‘if he comes in my direction and he’s gracious and courteous, but I’m not going to run after him’.
Ballas also addressed her hopes about returning to the show, saying it would be an ‘honour’ to be asked back.
‘One never presumes,’ she said, ‘But I have enjoyed it’
She has not, however, been included in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, announced yesterday.
‘I would have liked to have done the tour but it takes three judges with it and Darcey, Bruno and Craig all decided to do it, so they take precedence,’ Shirley said.
Author: Anna Thomson
