Brendan Cole admits he barely ‘broke a sweat’ on Strictly Come Dancing while on Dancing On Ice

Brendan Cole made a thinly-veiled dig at his Strictly Come Dancing past on Sunday’s Dancing On Ice as he admitted he barely broke a sweat when working on the BBC show.

Ballroom pro Brendan, 45, who starred on Strictly from 2004-2017, upon which he revealed his contract hadn’t been renewed, landed top of the leaderboard with his partner Vanessa Bauer and shared a tidbit about working on the BBC show.  

He said, visibly worn out: ’15 years on that other show, not sure I broke a sweat more than about four times.’ 

Hard working: Brendan Cole admitted he barely broke a sweat while he worked on Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night’s Dancing On Ice 

The New Zealand born professional dancer also said of his partner: ‘I have met my match, she doesn’t stop, I’m exhausted.’ 

Brendan was the first to take to the rink alongside Vanessa as they performed to Ram Jam’s Black Betty. 

His hard work certainly paid off after he impressed the judges with his debut dance. 

Breaking a sweat: While working very hard on his first dance with his partner Vanessa Bauer, he shared a tidbit about working on the BBC show (pictured, 2004 with Natasha Kaplinsky)

Breaking a sweat: While working very hard on his first dance with his partner Vanessa Bauer, he shared a tidbit about working on the BBC show (pictured, 2004 with Natasha Kaplinsky) 

Chris Dean told Brendan: ‘Best first performance by a celebrity in all 14 series. Tonight it was on form, you were strength, strong, superior and masculine. What I really appreciate is that you’re really getting into the ice.’

Defending his professional dancer ability, he added: ‘He’s learned to skate, which enables to show off him his dancing ability.’

Ashley added: ‘As someone who could dance before I could skate, they are completely different worlds.’   

He scored an impressive 30.5, but has come under fire for having ‘an unfair advantage’ as he is a professional dancer. 

Eeek: He said, visibly worn out: '15 years on that other show, not sure I broke a sweat more than about four times'

Eeek: He said, visibly worn out: ’15 years on that other show, not sure I broke a sweat more than about four times’ 

Brendan hit back at criticism from fans because of his dance background. 

Many viewers picked up on Brendan’s dancing past and took to Twitter to air their grievance following his incredible performance on the ice.

One person said: I know it’s ice skating but the show is called Dancing On Ice so why, yet again have they put a professional dancer in Brendan Cole on as a contestant?

‘Saw it with James Jordan. How is a novice meant to compete with someone as agile? Reeks of one-horse race.’

Reaction: Many viewers picked up on Brendan's dancing past and took to Twitter to air their grievance following his incredible performance on the ice

Reaction: Many viewers picked up on Brendan’s dancing past and took to Twitter to air their grievance following his incredible performance on the ice

Another said: ‘Won’t Brendan Cole have an unfair advantage on Dancing On Ice, what with him being a pro dancer ‘n all that?’

A third agreed, saying: ‘Brendan Cole?? That’s a bit unfair he’s already a dancer like the other Strictly pro who won it. Won’t be watching it’s rubbish anyway.’  

He said before his appearance on the show: ‘Obviously there are people that have said its not fair that I’m a dancer but there are other dancers on the show, Oti is a great friend of mine and she’s such an amazing person to have on the panel.’

Back in January 2018, Brendan revealed he had received his marching orders from the show that catapulted him to fame.  

The emotional star, who famously rowed with then-new head judge, Shirley Ballas, during the 2017 series, as well as Bruno Tonioli, talked about his shock sacking on rival channel, ITV, and said: ‘This is hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract.’

He added: ‘They have made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I have had 15 incredible series on the show, they are a great team.

‘I am very disappointed. It’s an editorial decision. I will never know the ins and outs.’  

A source told MailOnline at the time: ‘The judges did not want him back.

‘The rows he had in the last series with judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli were the last straw.

‘Brendan was stubborn and did not back down, which created an atmosphere backstage at the last series.

‘The producers believe no one is bigger than the show. Not one judge has reached out to him which says a lot. He was not popular. His time was up and it seemed like Brendan was the last to know.’

The BBC told MailOnline on Tuesday: ‘We’d like to thank Brendan 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.’   

The star appeared in the first half of the contestants appearing on the show, along with Sally Dynevor, Kimberly Wyatt, and Kye Whyte. 

Media personality Ria Hebden was voted to be in the dance off next week. 

It comes after Brendan revealed it hasn’t always been plain sailing during his gruelling training sessions, admitting he suffered concussion after nasty fall before meeting his skating partner Vanessa. 

He confessed he was ’embarrassed’ when he was sent crashing onto the rink during his first day on the ice in October.

Speaking to Ranvir Singh on Lorraine on Friday, Brendan said: ‘I’m really good, we do fall every single day, I think I’ve seen Vanessa do it once, and the worst thing to do is fall on the same bruise twice.’ 

Dancing On Ice 2022: Who are the celebrities?

KYE WHYTE

Age: 22

Profession: Olympics BMX rider

Kye says: ‘I’d love to see if I can make the final because I’m very competitive.’

RACHEL STEVENS

Age: 43

Profession: Singer

Rachel says‘It now feels really real, this is really happening. I’m so excited, obviously really nervous.’

LIBERTY POOLE

 

Age: 22

Profession: Love Island star  

Liberty says: ‘I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks’ 

STEF REID  

Age: 36

Profession: Paralympian

Stef says: ‘I’m going to be a contestant on Dancing on Ice and it’s a little bit scary but I cannot wait!’

REGAN GASCOIGNE 

 

Age: 26

Profession: Singer 

Regan says: ‘I love dancing but it’s the skill of this. I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!’

 KIMBERLY WYATT 

Age: 39

 Age: 39                                                                     

Profession: Pussycat Dolls singer

Kimberly says: ‘I’m just excited to see what I can do on there. I’m up for a challenge!’

BRENDAN COLE

 

Age: 45

Profession: Dancer

Brendan says: ‘I’ve known I’d be doing the show for quite some time and I want to get started, I’m so excited to be on the show.’ 

BEN FODEN 

 

Age: 36

Profession: Rugby player  

Ben says:  ‘I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill. I’m quite competitive as well.’

SALLY DYNEVOR  

 

Age:  58

Profession: Coronation Street actress 

Sally says:  ‘This is a massive challenge. I’m so scared! I’ve just got to take every opportunity I get.’

BEZ

 

Age: 57

Profession: Happy Mondays 

Bez says: ‘I’m always up for a challenge and am already in training on the ice.’

RIA HEBDEN

Age: 36

Profession: Presenter

Ria says: ‘It will be brilliant to learn a new scary skill.’

 CONNOR BALL

Age: 25

Age: 25

 Profession: The Vamps bassist

Connor says: ‘I’m excited obviously but I’m really nervous. I’m quite clumsy, accident prone.’

 

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