Strictly’s Brendan Cole denies he’s quit the show and insists ‘he will make the decision with his family next year’ to sign up again… or not
Pro dancer says he is not definitely leaving Strictly - but he is considering leaving after being attacked by viewers and booted off the show with Charlotte Hawkins
BRENDAN Cole has denied he's quit Strictly Come Dancing after being booted off the show with partner Charlotte Hawkins - but says he will have to consider
The New Zealand dancer, 41, was accused of throwing a strop when he was voted off the programme and announcing his exit when he said he's never enjoyed himself so much "in 15 years".
But he's now hit back at the wave of speculation he won't return in the 2018 series, saying that - for now - there's no reason to doubt he'll return.
He wrote in a Best magazine column: "It was quite amusing that people took my comments when Charlotte and I were voted off as some kind of 'swansong'.
"I was obviously very emotional that night, but all I said was 'I've had one of the best years on this show in 15 years!'.
"And it's true. As for quitting Strictly next year or not, that's my decision - one which I will come to when I'm ready.
"I didn't allude to anything, or say anything one way or another," he added.
"That's a decision I make each and every year with my family - we decide what's best for us.
"So far, each year I've decided I'm still hungry for it and I want to go back. But let people talk, let them speculate."
It's been 14 years since Brendan won Strictly and people think the strain was showing on this series - and that bosses have taken against him by not letting him fill in for Bruno Tonioli during his absence.
Brendan made a major controversy on the 2017 series by speaking back to Head Judge Shirley Ballas and calling her "my dear" when she criticised a dance.
He then promised to stay quiet the next week - but viewers chose to get rid of him and Charlotte that same week, making the GMB presenter only the third to leave.
Currently the favourite to win is Alexandra Burke, though most viewers are placing bets on Aston Merrygold to take the Glitterball Trophy.
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