Strictly's Anton Du Beke left 'heartbroken' after pal was axed from show: 'I was stunned'

express.co.uk:

Anton Du Beke, 56, who worked as a professional dancer on the show since it began in 2004, revealed that after his co-star Brendan Cole, 46, was cut from the show he feared for his own place, saying he never took it for granted or a given that he was going to be invited back the following year.The admission came when Anton appeared on an episode of Lorraine back in 2018.Speaking to the Glaswegian presenter, Anton said that Brendan’s exit from the show came as a complete shock, hinting that it had been an “editorial decision” by BBC bosses.In fact, Anton only found out that Brendan was leaving the show after Brendan himself appeared on Lorraine to drop the bombshell.“[I was] stunned,” Anton said to Lorraine.“It was one of the saddest things I've watched on telly.

I was heartbroken for him, for me a little bit as well, I'm going to miss him enormously. I can't begin to tell you.“I've known Brendan for a long time anyway and we've been friends for many, many years and being on the show together was lovely for me.“You've got a brother-in-arms sort of thing.”Anton went on to compare himself and Brendan, especially amid rumours that Brendan was axed from the show due to his “bad behaviour.”The star added: “It didn't matter how bad I was, I could never be quite as bad or naughty as Brendan.“He set a slightly naughtier bar - higher than me and that was part of his character and part of the fun with Brendan.

But that is the business we call show.”Setting the record straight, Anton said that he was sure Brendan’s behaviour didn’t have anything to do with his removal from the show.When speaking about his exit from Strictly, Brendan became overwhelmed with emotion when speaking with Lorraine.He said that he was proud to have been.