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TV star sacked for dancing with Camilla

Bianca Soldani
Updated

Last month, a long-standing member of the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing team was suddenly let go from the TV show.

Brendan Cole had been with the production for 13 years when he was told his contract would not be renewed, but it’s now being suggested that a rouge run-in with none other than the Duchess of Cornwall, is the real reason for his shock departure.

While the show was filming a Christmas special with Camilla Parker Bowles in November last year, The Sun reports that the Brendan’s wayward behaviour and breaking of royal protocol, really rubbed his colleagues the wrong way.

Brendan wasn't supposed to dance with Camilla, according to a source. Photo: Getty
Brendan wasn't supposed to dance with Camilla, according to a source. Photo: Getty

According to a source, only one person was designated to dance with the 70-year-old Duchess and it wasn’t Brendan, but that didn’t stop him from going up to her and taking her for a waltz.

“Brendan had to make it about him and ignored everyone and made a beeline for Camilla — who politely didn’t cause a scene,” the source said.

“Everyone was outraged by the cheek of his actions… It was the final straw for everyone involved with the show and the BBC.”

Camilla has said she was delighted by the dance. Photo: Getty
Camilla has said she was delighted by the dance. Photo: Getty

While a spokesperson for Camilla said she ‘thoroughly enjoyed’ her dance, when Brendan later raised the moment he said he thought he had broken royal protocol by stepping in.

“I thought somebody was about to grab me and kick me out,” he said.

Members of the British royal family are generally not supposed to be touched "in a manner that goes beyond a formal handshake".

Brendan gave an emotional interview about not having his contract renewed. Photo: ITV
Brendan gave an emotional interview about not having his contract renewed. Photo: ITV

The practice of not touching royals harks back to the Middle Ages, but the Windsors’ official website does state that these days, "there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal Family".

Brendan has denied that he was sacked for his actions on set of the Christmas special, with his spokesperson telling the Daily Mail, "I can confirm that these assertions are absolutely, categorically untrue."

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