Born on the 23rd April 1976 in New Zealand, Brendan Cole is well known for his appearances as a professional dancer on the hit BBC dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing.
Apart from dancing on the UK version of the show, he has also judged the competition in his homeland of New Zealand, but Brendan’s dancing career goes a lot further than just Strictly Come Dancing, as he is out on his second theatre show tour around the UK.
Fresh from his first theatre show tour ‘Live and Unplugged’ which first started in 2010, the new tour is expected to sell fast. Fortitude Magazine caught up with Brendan to talk about his new show, strictly and more:
Hi Brendan, how are you?
Hello! I’m great thanks, yourself?
I’m great cheers, you’re well known for appearing in every series of Strictly Come Dancing, who has been your favourite partner over the years?
I have a few favourites. I really enjoyed dancing with Lisa Snowdon, we reached the final and got the first ever perfect score, but still didn’t win! I also really enjoyed dancing with Kelly Brook.
What inspired you to become a professional dancer?
I was never really inspired by anyone, in fact I used to hate dancing! My mother always wanted me to become a dancer and pushed me, took me to competitions and its something I’ve gone on to really enjoy for a long time.
Your TV career has also took you back home to New Zealand where you appeared as a judge on ‘Dancing With The Stars’, how does judging compare to dancing every week?
Its quite different, but I still got to dance most weeks by demonstrating some ballroom dances with Candy Lane.
Your new theatre show ‘Licence to Thrill’ is out on tour, what can fans expect from the show?
You can expect a very intimate show, lots of great and fan favourite latin and ballroom routines aswell as some fantastic music!
How big is the cast on the tour?
We have a lot of dancers and a 14 piece orchestra, it all looks and sounds great!
Finally, can Strictly come Dancing fans expect you back for the tenth series of the show?
YES! I still love doing the show as much now as I did when I first started. A lot has happened in the eight years of the show, but its flown by and its great to be part of.
Thanks Brendan, it was great chatting with you!
You to buddy.
You can see Brendan’s new theatre production across the UK right now!:
Truro Hall for Cornwall – 25 + 26 January
Plymouth Pavillions – 27 January
Cardiff St David’s Hall – 28 January
Leicester De Montford Hall – 30 January
Salford Lowry – 31 January
Blackpool Opera House – 1 February
Bradford St Georges Hall – 2 February
Carlisle Sands Centre – 3 February
Halifax Victoria Theatre – 6 February
Sage Gateshead – 7 February
Milton Keynes Theatre – 8 February
Watford Colosseum – 9 February
Norwich Royal Theatre – 10 February
London Barbican Theatre – 13 February
Cambridge Corn Exchange Theatre – 14 February
Ipswich Regent Theatre – 15 February
Basingstoke Anvil – 16 February
Southend Cliffs Pavillion – 17 February
Edinburgh Festival Theatre – 20 February
Hull Theatre – 21 February
Scunthorpe Baths Hall – 22 February
Liverpool Philharmonic – 23 February
Kings Theatre Glasgow – 24 February
Aberdeen Music Hall – 25 February
Perth Concert Hall – 26 Feb
Poole Lighthouse – 28 February
Bristol Hippodrome – 1 March
Canterbury Marlowe – 2 March
Southampton Mayflower – 3 March
You can buy tickets for the tour here: http://brendancole.com/brendan_cole_licence_to_thrill/ticket-sales/