Brendan Cole is back . . . bigger, better and all night long

THE departure of show favourite Brendan Cole was the biggest of shocks for Strictly Come Dancing fans.

The New Zealand professional dancer had been with the BBC series from the very beginning.

He had waltzed off with the very first glitterball along with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and, for all 15 series, had trodden that famous dancefloor.

But just last month an emotional Brendan appeared on Sunday Post columnist Lorraine Kelly’s show to reveal the BBC had decided they weren’t going to renew his contract.

It was thought that his frank speaking and willingness to stand up for his partners and debate the judges’ verdicts may have played a part in that decision.

He had an especially tetchy exchange with new Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas over criticism of his partner, Good Morning Britain newsreader, Charlotte Hawkins.

Brendan had always said that, like the other professional dancers on the show, he never knew whether he’d be return on any given year.

‘It feels quite raw’: Emotional Brendan Cole on being axed from Strictly Come Dancing

However, he had previously told us that he found it hard to imagine not being a part of the show.

If he needed something to take his mind off of the disappointment, it comes perfectly in the shape of his latest tour, All Night Long.

It handily, as timing happens, started just after his BBC revelation and Brendan says he will have that homely feeling when he brings it to Scotland this week.

While it’s obvious from his accent that he’s a New Zealander through and through, Brendan’s late dad Eddie was from Glasgow.

And he told iN10 that trips north of the border always felt that bit more personal.

“I definitely feel a connection,” said Brendan, 41. “Just knowing that the heritage is there makes it really special.

“In particular, the first time I ever took my show to Scotland. I really felt it a lot then. I was very proud.

“You might not have the real sense of affiliation having not grown up there, but with parents and grandparents having come from Scotland, it does feel different.

“I still have some distant relatives there. We’ve met and stay in touch and they come along when I’m on tour.”

Anton Du Beke says he was ‘heartbroken’ for Brendan Cole over Strictly exit

All Night Long can be seen in Perth, Inverness, Dunfermline and Glasgow.

The dates are part of an extensive UK tour and Brendan says the audience are in for a spectacular night of dance.

“This is my fourth production and it’s getting bigger and better every year,” insisted Brendan.

“It’s the second year touring this show and we do about 50 dates each year.

“There are many Strictly-type shows out there so it’s really important to me that we have a massive show.

“When people come along they want to see everything they know and love from Strictly. So that’s the music, the dancing, the props, the staging, the costumes.

“It all has to be bigger and better these days, it can’t just be a couple of dancers on stage. We have 21 musicians and dancers, so it’s a big deal.

“Strictly hasn’t been on the TV for a while so people miss it and want that experience.

“I want them to walk out with a smile on their face thinking, ‘Wow, what a fantastic night’.”

Moving on from the TV show that has been such a massive part of his world since 2004 isn’t the only big change in Brendan’s life – he’s set to be a dad for the second time.

He and wife Zoe have a five-year-old daughter, Aurelia – “she’s very much a daddy’s girl, I can do no wrong” – and their latest arrival is imminent.

There’s a good chance the baby will come during the tour but Brendan says it’s a case of then show having to go on.

“Tours are planned years in advance, pregnancies happen when they happen,” he adds.

“It’d be nice if the little one came along on a day off and I will try and support Zoe as much as I can.

“But if I’m on stage in Scotland, chances are I won’t be able to get down that night. We’ll just have to hope for the best.”

Brendan Cole: All Night Long, Perth Concert Hall, Wed, Inverness Eden Court, Thur, Fri, Dunfermline Alhambra, Sat, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sun