IT’S a great pity that outspoken Brendan Cole has been sacked from Strictly Come Dancing.

The accomplished New Zealander had been in the show since 2004 and was one of its most popular professional dancers. Unfortunately, he clashed regularly with judge Craig Revel Horwood and new head judge Shirley Ballas and was public in his criticism of them and some of his celebrity partners.

We shall certainly miss his charismatic performances but I suppose it’s important to be a “team player” here. Spiky individuals, however talented, are hard to absorb but let’s hope this isn’t the last onscreen of Brendan.