Fiona Phillips has claimed that her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Brendan Cole ‘wasn’t very nice’ and that it’s ‘karma’ that he was axed from the show.
The former GMTV and Lorraine presenter, 59, has told the Daily Star: ‘Brendan was a real b****r, actually. He wasn’t very nice. He was really naughty.’
She went on: ‘He’s not on the show now. Karma indeed. It works its way every time.’
It all comes out: Fiona Phillips has claimed that her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Brendan Cole ‘wasn’t very nice’ and that it’s ‘karma’ that he was axed from the show
Brendan, 43, did not have his Strictly contract renewed in 2018 and famously became tearful when he announced the news on Lorraine in January of that year.
His last partner on the show was Charlotte Hawkins, whom he danced with in the 2017 series – his last.
He was seen on ITV’s X Factor: Celebrity in 2019, where he and actor Jeremy Edwards failed to get through to the live shows, having paired up as a duet.
His time on Strictly was eventful, splitting from fiancée Camilla Dallerup during the first ever season, on which he was paired up – and won – with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.
The former GMTV presenter said: ‘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’
Devastated: Brendan, 43, did not have his Strictly contract renewed in 2018 and famously became tearful when he announced the news on Lorraine in January of that year
Back in the day: He was partnered with Fiona during the show’s third run, in 2005
Rumours were rife that they had an affair – but he has always denied it.
He was partnered with Fiona during the show’s third run, in 2005.
Fiona has admitted that she struggled with depression during her career, including her time on Strictly.
Brave face: Fiona has admitted that she struggled with depression during her career, including her time on Strictly
Encore? He was seen on ITV’s X Factor: Celebrity in 2019, where he and actor Jeremy Edwards failed to get through to the live shows, having paired up as a duet
Appearing on Lorraine in 2018, she admitted that she struggled with mental health as she cared for her two children and her mum and dad, who had both been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Fiona also revealed that she underestimated the impact having the menopause would have on her body, despite her mum going through a similar ordeal.
Tough time: Appearing on Lorraine in 2018, she admitted that she struggled with mental health as she cared for her two children and her mum and dad, who had both been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Fiona told Lorraine Kelly that she felt she ‘had to’ get on with juggling her work as a breakfast TV presenter alongside raising two children and taking care of her parents, who have since passed away.
She said: ‘You have to don’t you? Otherwise I would have had two parents with Alzheimer’s and be homeless because we wouldn’t be able to afford the mortgage.
‘All the time my emotions were torn – I should be with my kids, I should be with my parents… you know what it’s like. You have to have a house for your kids and food on the table.’
Legend: Fans may best know Fiona for her time presenting breakfast favourite GMTV from 1993 to 2008
Fiona also admitted that her mum suffered with depression while she was growing up, and confessed that she was also unprepared for the effect the menopause would have on her body.
She said: ‘My poor mum, when we were little, she used to lock herself in the room for a day in the dark because she was just so, so depressed. I think it can run in families as well.
‘Things happen to you… and the menopause, that is a horrible thing! I remember my mum in a real state with her menopause and I just thought, ‘It can’t be that bad surely’ – and yes, it can.
‘Anxiety in all sorts of things that you might never had had before. Suddenly you’re overwhelmed by things.’
Hard ordeal: Fiona told Lorraine that her mum Amy (middle) also suffered from depression and would sometimes spend entire days locked in her room