Who will replace Brendan Cole on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018? Latest rumours including Curtis Pritchard
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left shocked by the sudden sacking of Brendan Cole.
But who is being tipped as his replacement? Here is what we know...
Who will replace Brendan Cole on Strictly?
Oti Mabuse's husband Marius Iepure has been tipped to replace axed Brendan Cole.
Bosses think the Romanian dancer, 35, will add extra eye candy to the show's ranks and his experience behind the scenes means he should fit straight in.
An insider told The Sun Online: "Marius was involved in Strictly last year as a backing dancer and has proved very popular with both the other dancers and production staff alike."
On April 15, it was revealed that bosses have settled on AJ Pritchard's younger brother Curtis after The Sun's Bizarre column revealed producers were in fear of a lack of tall male professionals.
A source told the Sunday People: "With a distinct lack of tall male dancers to fill Brendan’s shoes, Strictly had a tough job on their hands.
"But they’ve now found the perfect fit in Curtis. He may be AJ’s younger brother but he’s certainly not
smaller than his 5ft 7in stature, which means he could be partnered with the taller women celebrities.”
Why has Brendan left Strictly?
Professional dancer Brendan, 42, announced he had been dropped from Strictly in an emotional interview on Lorraine on January 30, 2018.
The Australian was visibly gutted as he revealed the BBC had chosen not to renew his contract.
He said: “It’s quite, actually, hard to talk about.
“The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year. They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“It’s 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.”
He continued: “I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision.”
Brendan said: “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.”
It was reported that Brendan was shown the door after clashing with head judge Shirley Ballas - he later claimed that she tried to bed him, leaving her furious.
What have Strictly said about Brendan's departure?
A Strictly spokesman tweeted: "We'd like to thank @BrendanCole for being part of the show since the beginning - winner of the first series - and for the contribution he has made to its success.
"We wish him all the very best for the future."
Brendan said: "I would have preferred to have made the decision myself, but maybe I would never have made it because I love being on the show.
“The last five years I haven’t really made much of a noise on the show with my partners, they haven’t been able to do what I’ve wanted to do. No disrespect to them. I haven’t had one of the ones that had a bit of dance experience that you can really challenge.
More on Strictly
When did Brendan join Strictly?
Brendan has been on the show since it started 2004.
He won the competition at the first time of asking when he was partnered with Natasha Kaplinsky.
The pairing were plagued by romance rumours and around this time Brendan's then fiancé Camilla Dallerup broke off their engagement.
He would go on to make the final again with Lisa Snowdon and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.