The late Strictly Come Dancing legend Sir Bruce Forsyth, who died in 2017, was regarded as a national treasure for much of his lengthy career.
Having worked on the BBC competition show from its debut in 2004 until 2013, the 89-year-old became synonymous with Strictly Come Dancing and coined the well-known show catchphrase “keep dancing”.
However, Brendan Cole, who also starred on the show as a professional dancer from 2004 to 2017, has recently claimed Forsyth was at times “horrible to everybody”.
Remembering the late presenter, the 48-year-old remarked: “He was incredible off the stage more so than he was on stage. His wit was so fast and so brilliant.”
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning this week, Cole continued: “He was lovely to everybody unless he was slightly angry, then he was horrible to everybody. He was very temperamental.”
However, he went on to add: “But what I loved was production would always say, ‘Bruce is on set, Bruce is on set!’
Forsyth hosted Strictly from 2004 to 2013
BBC/Getty
“And I love that he commanded that respect and earned it over so many years.”
Forsyth also starred throughout his decades-long TV career as the host of Generation Game, Price is Right and Play Your Cards Right.
The TV legend died seven years ago of bronchial pneumonia at his home in Virginia Water, Surrey.
His death prompted a huge outpouring of grief from the world of entertainment, with Strictly co-host Tess Daly announcing at the time: “There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am to be told the saddest news, that my dear friend Sir Bruce Forsyth has passed away.”
Cole starred in Strictly from 2004 to 2017
ITV
She continued: “From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain the audiences he so loved.
“He has been there for me as a co-host, a mentor, but most importantly as a friend, and I’m extremely fortunate to have worked alongside the man who defined Saturday night entertainment for so many decades.
“He was a gentleman and a true legend and I will miss him deeply. My heart goes out to Winnie, his wife, and his beautiful family at this sad time.”
Cole was axed from Strictly in 2018 after building a reputation as a controversial dancer who often fought with judges over their feedback.
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing honoured Forsyth with a special tribute after his death
BBC
Speaking to The Sun in 2019, an insider reportedly stated Cole’s behaviour towards head judge Shirley Ballas was the final straw.
They told the publication: “It was the final nail in his coffin. That was the moment when they decided they’d had enough.
“The judges felt he was putting her down publicly and he thought he knew better than the head judge.
“They thought it was totally disrespectful.”
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