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Strictly are struggling to replace Brendan Cole with equally tall dancer

Strictly’s Brendan Cole denies being sacked for breaking Royal engagement protocol. (PA)
Strictly’s Brendan Cole denies being sacked for breaking Royal engagement protocol. (PA)

Strictly Come Dancing producers are reportedly frantic in their search for a professional replacement for axed Brendan Cole.

After Brendan, 41, revealed on Lorraine that he was leaving the show after 13 years due to a new contract not being offered, fans were left saddened and bemused by the decision to get rid of one of the most popular faces in the dance programme who’d be there from the start.

According to the Sun, Strictly bosses are now struggling to find a suitable replacement for the outspoken dancer, after the BBC decided not to renew the star’s contract for the dancing show.

A Strictly source revealed that they simply cannot find a dancer who is tall enough to replace the New Zealander who stands at around 6″1.

‘Many of the show’s professionals may look tall and hunky on screen, but in reality they’re often a lot shorter,’ the insider said.

‘Most ballroom dancers are naturally shorter than most average men so it’s proving trickier than expected.’

Brendan spoke to Lorraine Kelly about his departure. (ITV)

Brendan spoke about the moment he learned he wasn’t going to appear on the dancing show any more, when he told Lorraine Kelly: ‘The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year. They made an editorial decision not to have me on the show,’ at the end of January.

The star also said how upset he was at the news, revealing he found it hard to talk about: ‘I’m in a bit of shock at the moment, it’s quite emotional.’

In a BBC statement, they wished him well and thanked the dancer for his contribution to the show: ‘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.’

(From left) Brendan and Anton on Strictly Come Dancing. (PA

With Brendan the latest dancer to leave the long-running show, Anton Du Beke, 51, will be the only remaining original dancer left on the show.

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