Brendan Cole denies dance with Camilla cost him Strictly Come Dancing role

Brendan Cole has hit back at claims he was axed from Strictly Come Dancing after waltzing with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

BBC bosses were reportedly left fuming after the professional dancer broke protocol to take the royal for a spin during the Christmas special.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood was said to be the only Strictly star given the green light to dance with the Duchess, but a source claims Cole ignored the “carefully orchestrated” event to “make it about him”.

A source told The Sun: “Everyone, including Brendan, had been given an extremely clear briefing.

“But Brendan being Brendan had to make it about him and ignored everyone and made a beeline for Camilla – who politely didn’t cause a scene.

“Everyone was outraged by the cheek of his actions, he always has to be centre of attention.

“It was the last straw, they saw he couldn’t be controlled.”

But a representative for Cole slammed the comments, saying: “I can confirm that these assertions are absolutely, categorically untrue. There was no such brief from BBC.”

Evening Standard Royal Editor, Robert Jobson also ridiculed the reports, branding them “daft” and claiming the Duchess would have “loved” dancing with Cole.

He tweeted: “BBC bosses were reportedly left fuming after ex-Strictly dancer Brendan Cole broke protocol to take The Duchess of Cornwall for a spin during the Xmas special.

“He denies it led to him being axed. Daft, Camilla loves to dance, has a great sense of humour & would have loved it.”

Cole shared a picture of himself dancing with the Duchess days after filming the festive spin-off. Posting on Instagram he wrote: “I love this. I asked the delightful Duchess of Cornwall if it was ok to ask her to dance? Luckily she said yes. What a charming host and wonderful day.”

Cole announced he was dropped from the BBC ballroom show during an interview with Lorraine Kelly in which he revealed his contract had not been renewed.

Speaking to Kelly in January he said: “It’s quite, actually, hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. 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.”

Cole had been a regular since the first series in May 2004, which he won with news reader Natasha Kaplinsky.

Fans called for him to be reinstated, including Piers Morgan, who launched a campaign on Good Morning Britain.