Shirley Ballas has responded to a former Strictly Come Dancing professional who was reportedly removed following a heated disagreement with the head judge. Brendan Cole, who was eliminated from the BBC dance competition in 2018 amid allegations of being “challenging to work with,” hinted that his clash with Shirley may have influenced his exit.

During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine back then, the New Zealand-born ballroom dancer, a fixture on the show since its inception in 2004, expressed his surprise at the decision. He mentioned that an “editorial decision” was made for him not to return to the program, leaving him feeling emotional and disappointed.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Brendan implied that his use of a “patronizing” phrase towards Shirley during a critique may have contributed to the situation. Despite feeling uncertain about the handling of the incident on air, he clarified that he did not act aggressively and disagreed with the feedback, including advice from Bruno Tonioli to show more respect.

Reflecting on his actions, Brendan regretted employing the term “my dear” when Shirley recommended watching a tango video, acknowledging that it could be perceived as patronizing unintentionally. He emphasized his concern for his dance partner, Charlotte Hawkins, and his desire to excel on the show despite not being among the top performers.

In a turn of events, Shirley addressed the situation in her 2025 book, “Best Foot Forward,” where she detailed Brendan expressing doubts about her before she assumed Len Goodman’s role as head judge. Recalling an exchange with Zoe Ball on “It Takes Two,” Shirley recounted Brendan’s remarks suggesting she needed to impress the pros, insinuating a tense beginning to their professional relationship.

Speculating on Brendan’s motives, Shirley suggested that his comments might have stemmed from his desire for the head judge position, insinuating a sense of rivalry. She alleged that Brendan attempted various tactics to undermine her, leading to a culmination of tensions during the competition, notably highlighted by the “my dear” incident.

Shirley’s insights shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show, revealing the complexities and challenges faced by its participants.