‘Strictly Come Dancing’: Brendan Cole Will NOT Appear On This Week’s Live Show Because Of Pneumonia Risk

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bosses have confirmed that Brendan Cole will not be taking to the dancefloor this weekend as he continues to battle a lung infection.

Professional dancer Gorka Marquez, who has been training with Brendan’s partner Anastacia all week, will now replace him on the show.

The decision was made after doctors warned Brendan that he is at risk of contracting pneumonia like he did earlier this year during his UK solo tour.

BBC bosses confirmed he is not well enough to perform this weekend, tweeting: “Brendan Cole is recovering from a lung infection and has been advised to rest and will not be dancing this weekend as per doctor’s orders.

Gorka Marquez stepped in at the start of the week to rehearse with Anastacia and they will dance together on the show this weekend.

We wish Brendan a very speedy recovery.”

A source added to the Sun: “Brendan’s gutted not to be able to dance this weekend.

“Anastacia and him have worked extremely hard and overcome a lot of hurdles to get where they’re at in the competition.

“Brendan’s a perfectionist and extremely hard working so for him to have to take a back seat has been very difficult indeed.

“He has to be careful and listen to his body and a lung infection like he has is no laughing matter. He’s been resting as much as possible on Doctor’s orders.

“With all the problems the couple have faced this year with Anastacia’s injuries it really is a pain that Brendan’s been taken ill now.

“But they’re both troopers and they hope to make a triumphant return next week.”

The Kiwi star has also assured fans he is very much alive and well, after one report claimed he had died.

The dancer was “horrified” to learn a website had run a story stating he’d passed away in the early hours of Thursday (20 October) morning.

Taking to Twitter after seeing the report, Brendan wrote: “Ok…Very disturbing..I have just been informed that I am dead! Horrified & bemused about the @CNN reporting this!

“Ps…I’m very much still alive! Holy Shit! Cnn-channel very wrong on this report thank goodness! @CNN @cnnbrk.”