Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has broken his silence on the BBC show’s ongoing scandal.

The 48-year-old was famously axed from the series back in 2018 after 15 years on air, following claims he was ‘difficult to work with.’

The once beloved series is currently embroiled in controversy over how the professional dancers teach the celebs, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.

Brendan recalled his own ‘tough time’ on the show and working with some celebs that he ‘didn’t particularly like’.

Telling Metro: ‘[Strictly is] the best job in the world but it’s also the worst. If you get someone you enjoy working with and they enjoy working with you, it’s phenomenal’.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole, 48,  has broken his silence on the BBC show's ongoing scandal
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Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole, 48,  has broken his silence on the BBC show’s ongoing scandal

He was Twas famously axed from the series back in 2018 after 15 years on air, following claims he was 'difficult to work with' (pictured with Emmedale star Claire King on the show in 2006)
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He was Twas famously axed from the series back in 2018 after 15 years on air, following claims he was ‘difficult to work with’ (pictured with Emmedale star Claire King on the show in 2006)

Brendan, who over the years had been paired with the likes of Fiona Phillips, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natasha Kaplinsky, said it can be really hard training for 12-hours a day with someone you ‘don’t gel with’.

Telling the publication: ‘It’s the pro’s job to get the celebrities through it. I’ve had a few rough ones; I didn’t particularly like them, they didn’t like me, but you push through’.

Before adding: ‘At the same time I’ve had fantastic partners who I’ve loved working with. You take the good and the bad and hopefully come out unscathed’.

It comes after former partner and Emmerdale actress Claire King branded Brendan ‘really nasty’ after he ‘ground down her confidence’ in resurfaced interview.

The actress, 62, who plays Kim Tate in the soap, competed on the BBC series alongside the professional dancer in 2006, where they finished in sixth place.

Speaking to The Mirror’s Sunday People, following her stint on the show, Claire said she received ‘no moral support’ from Brendan who had spoke negatively about her in his own interviews.

She said: ‘He had no faith in me and certainly never did anything to boost my confidence. He’s had a very negative attitude.

‘Brendan grinds down my confidence and I don’t feel like he’s given me a lot of support. He has said some really nasty things about me in the Press like saying I stink of smoke.

Brendan recalled his own 'tough time' on the show and working with some celebs that he 'didn't particularly like' (pictured with Natasha Kaplinsky in 2004)
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Brendan recalled his own ‘tough time’ on the show and working with some celebs that he ‘didn’t particularly like’ (pictured with Natasha Kaplinsky in 2004)

Brendan, who over the years had been paired with the likes of Fiona Phillips, Sophie Ellis-Bextor (pictured) and Natasha Kaplinsky, said it can be really hard training for 12-hours a day with someone you 'don't gel with'
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Brendan, who over the years had been paired with the likes of Fiona Phillips, Sophie Ellis-Bextor (pictured) and Natasha Kaplinsky, said it can be really hard training for 12-hours a day with someone you ‘don’t gel with’

Saying: 'It's the pro's job to get the celebrities through it. I've had a few rough ones; I didn't particularly like them, they didn't like me, but you push through' (pictured with Victoria Pendalon in 2012)
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Saying: ‘It’s the pro’s job to get the celebrities through it. I’ve had a few rough ones; I didn’t particularly like them, they didn’t like me, but you push through’ (pictured with Victoria Pendalon in 2012)

‘It takes me longer than the younger contestants to pick things up and Brendan is very intolerant and impatient with me. He’s got a very short temper – both of us have.’

MailOnline has contacted Brendan’s representative for comment.

The bullying claims have reemerged during a time of crisis for the show amid various abuse scandals and a misconduct probe – with insiders now saying that the series is ‘fatally tarnished’.

Pro Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the upcoming series over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s competition.

This came after another pro Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended from the show last month over claims of off-camera misconduct – which he denies – made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.

It comes after former partner and Emmerdale actress Claire King branded Brendan 'really nasty' after he 'ground down her confidence' in resurfaced interview
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It comes after former partner and Emmerdale actress Claire King branded Brendan ‘really nasty’ after he ‘ground down her confidence’ in resurfaced interview

Following her stint on the show in 2016, Claire said she received 'no moral support' from Brendan who had spoke negatively about her in his own interviews
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Following her stint on the show in 2016, Claire said she received ‘no moral support’ from Brendan who had spoke negatively about her in his own interviews

It comes as a video has resurfaced of former professional Brendan Cole slapping his partner, Fiona Phillips', bottom three times during rehearsals in 2005
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It comes as a video has resurfaced of former professional Brendan Cole slapping his partner, Fiona Phillips’, bottom three times during rehearsals in 2005

Elsewhere, resurfaced footage, broadcast on It Takes Two in 2005, shows former professional Brendan calling television presenter Fiona ‘pathetic’ and slapping her bottom on three occasions.

Fiona asks Brendan to stop shouting at her before saying he ‘looked at me like I was something he’d stepped in.’

Commenting on his axing in 2020 Fiona claimed that her former partner ‘wasn’t very nice’ and that it was ‘karma’ that his contract wasn’t renewed.

The former GMTV and Lorraine presenter told the Daily Star: ‘Brendan was a real b****r, actually. He wasn’t very nice. He was really naughty.

‘He’s not on the show now. Karma indeed. It works its way every time.’