Piers Morgan has launched a campaign to get Brendan Cole back on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The ‘Good Morning Britain’ host has set up an online petition to get the professional dancer back on the line-up for this year’s series of the ballroom and latin show after he was recently given the chop.
Speaking on the breakfast show this morning (31.01.18), Piers, 52, told the nation: "Why don’t we launch a campaign to get Brendan Cole restored on ‘Strictly’?
"The campaign starts now. Bring back Brendan! Hashtag bring back Brendan."
Piers was encouraged to start the campaign after speaking with Arlene Phillips – who was dropped from the judging panel in 2009 – and she implied that the show would be boring without him.
She said of the 41-year-old choreographer: "He’s absolutely a character – mean, moody, Brendan, he’s very tall, very big – he doesn’t look like a dancer and then he comes out on the dance floor. I think the show needs conflict, excitement and challenges."
And Arlene, 74, doesn’t think the bosses will be able to find someone to replace Brendan because he and his co-star Anton du Beke – who are the only two who have been on the show since the beginning – are one of a kind and they’re known and loved for their characteristics.
She explained: "Anton, again, is much loved. And the thing about Anton and Brendan is there’s no doubles for them. They are real individuals. Brendan has always been the bad boy, always been argumentative and that’s part of his trademark."
It’s believed Brendan got the axe from the show after he got into a war of words with head judge Shirley Ballas – who took over from the legendary Len Goodman – last year over his tango.
She said: "I think that’s mild and Bruno [Tonioli, her fellow judge] jumping in and saying that’s not respectful, what are they? Headmaster and a kid in a school? It’s a celebrity and professional entertainment show … I don’t think Bruno should’ve jumped in and I think that was ridiculous."
Brendan – who has been on the show since 2004 – announced that the BBC had decided not to renew his contract yesterday (30.01.18) and admitted he was devastated by the news.
Piers Morgan launches campaign to get Brendan Cole back on Strictly
