Fiona Phillips has said that Brendan Cole’s axing from Strictly Come Dancing was “karma” after he “wasn’t very nice” to her when they were partnered together.
The former GMTV presenter was paired up with the pro dancer on the BBC ballroom show during the 2005 series.
Speaking of their time working together, Fiona told the Daily Star: “Brendan was a real bugger, 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.”
Fiona’s routines saw her pick up a string of low scores and her and Brendan were eventually voted off in week four of the third series.
In 2018, Brendan was axed from Strictly after 15 years on the show.
At the time, he said he found it “hard to talk about” and remained in the dark about the decision to drop him from the cast of pro dancers.
He said on ITV’s Lorraine: “They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision. I’ve always known this day would come.
“I’m sure I’ll never know the ins and outs.”
He added: “Even though the show has a different team, I will always be one of the ones who was part of the journey who got it to where it is today. And to not be a part of that is hard.”
Since leaving Strictly, Brendan has taken part in a number of stage productions and has also become a father for the first time with wife Zoe.
He also made a memorable appearance on The X Factor: Celebrity with Jeremy Edwards last October.