Shane Finn
This is the first season of Strictly Come Dancing since Brendan Cole shimmied off our screens. His absence from the show has left the whole nation craving his dancing more than ever, and searching for those saucy dance moves. Turning a new chapter, Brendan Cole sits down to tell us why this year has been his busiest yet and why he is going to 'keep dancing' in new show All Night Long.
Starring as a professional dancer on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing for the first 15 seasons and being one of only 2 dancers in the show who has starred in Strictly from the beginning - Brendan Cole is undeniably an iconic face of Strictly. And his absence from this year's show has been felt. On his departure, Brendan says: "It's a funny one because Strictly was obviously a massive part of my life and to not be on the show anymore is different; it’s a new chapter in my life."
And this new chapter is going to be far from quiet. With an equally impressive background in touring in his own dance shows, Brendan's recent production All Night Long marks a continuation of this passion, and alongside his column in Hello! and upcoming show Show Man in 2019, he is far from twiddling his thumbs.
Unwilling to let go of his Strictly side completely, the weekly column which Brendan writes for Hello! discusses the past week's show alongside his verdict on each of the couples' performance that weekend. Popular among fans of the show and of ballroom dancing enthusiasts, the column is proving quite the success. Brendan comments: "I’ve really enjoyed seeing the show from a different point of view. It’s nice to be able to have a say on something where people are interested in what you’ve got to say!"
"I’ve got several favourites this year. Faye Tozer and Giovanni are doing great stuff; she is a beautiful dancer. Likewise Graeme Swan and his partner Oti Mabuse – I think he’s doing a fantastic job for the boys. As the show progresses you start to see the people that are there to stay and it's exciting as you see the personalities emerge as well."
Although remaining a fan of the show, it is evident that Brendan will not be returning as a professional dancer. Strong-willed and determined to focus on the next chapter in his dancing career, he dismisses the option completely.
"Once I’ve finished something I’ve finished something. That’s that. At the moment I’m focusing on my career outside of Strictly and I’m chuffed to say that I’ve had the busiest year of my life!"
However, keen to satisfy fans' demand, Brendan has been dancing for a different audience in various live shows around the UK. Currently, in the midst of his All Night Long tour, fellow Strictly dancer Chloe Hewitt has recently been announced as a starring guest at 4 of his upcoming venues, including the performance at Woking's New Victoria Theatre.
He says, "I’m delighted we’ve booked Chloe, she’s a fantastic performer and I’m looking forward to having her on board. I’m throwing her in the deep end - she has to try and learn a full show in a short space of time and it is a tricky one but she’s done great so far."
And what else can you expect from All Night Long? As the title may suggest the show is family friendly, but it wouldn't be Brendan Cole's if there weren't a few naughty innuendos. The tongue-in-cheek undertone of All Night Long is one which was not chosen subtly, Brendan saying he chose it specifically because it: "Fits my personality!"
"I have to make sure that it’s accessible to everybody – Strictly has a very diverse audience, from the elderly right down to the youngsters, so we have to be child-friendly. There are a few innuendos here, there and everywhere, but nothing too bad! It’s like pantomime: kids can enjoy it but there’s also the slightly more adult humour."
As well as being a bit mischievous, All Night Long will incorporate all of the Strictly favourites when it comes to dances. The Waltz, Argentinian Tango and Quickstep can be spotted in the performance to name a few, with some of the dances telling their own story much like in the show.
Putting a twist on the typical dance performance though, Brendan also spends time chatting to the audience, making no show the same. You can expect the unexpected; cheeky chats, live music and the likely chance that the show will go off on a tangent according to how the host feels on the night.
And his favourite dance in the show?
"We do the waltz and the waltz to me has a real beauty about it. It tells a story to a really powerful song, and with the live band and 13 onstage musicians, the audience goes into a trance when they watch it. It’s a really weird thing to explain but there is a real beauty about it.
If people want to come and have a phenomenal night out at the theatre at a Strictly-based show, we have a ball on stage and the audience has a ball as well, so come and see it!"
All Night Long is at Woking's New Victoria Theatre on 4th Nov, Dorking Halls on 10th Nov and London's Adelphi Theatre on 18th Nov.
