Dancing on Ice: Brendan Cole discusses his Strictly background

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Oti Mabuse, 31, was reunited with an old Strictly professional as she joined the judging panel on Dancing On Ice this series. Legendary ballroom dancer Brendan Cole, is a contestant on the long-running ITV show, but Oti vowed she won’t be giving him any special treatment despite their conflict of interest.

Brendan is such a big character, but I won’t be biased

Oti Mabuse

The dancer joined the show in 2015, and she and Brendan worked together for a short while before he left in 2018, after 15 years of working on the BBC programme.

Despite their friendship and dancing backgrounds, in a new interview, Oti made it clear she wouldn’t be biased while judging him alongside the other contestants.

She said: “We worked together for two years. Brendan is such a big character, but I won’t be biased.

“He’s got one of the best professional skaters in Vanessa [Bauer], so there’s this expectation that he’s going to be amazing.

“Before he knew I was doing it [being a DOI judge], he told me: ‘People think it’ll be easy, but it’s really difficult. And people expect that I’m going to be great, but I’m struggling.'”

Ahead of the launch of the new series, fans speculated Brendan might bring some of his Strictly attitude to the show.

Viewers will remember he was famous for rowing with the judges over their criticism of his dance partners.

But Oti believes everyone will see a different side to him now he’s in the learning seat.

“I don’t think he will argue with the judges. That’s something that he did on Strictly because he was defending his partner,” she told The Sun.

“Now he’s the one learning the new skill.

“He’s grown up and he’s gonna take [the judges’ comments] on board and try to get better.”

45-year-old Brendan is partnered with Vanessa Bauer this series and is also a favourite to win the show.

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Although, old habits die hard and Brendan found himself jumping to the defence of his old Strictly pal James Jordan, who logged onto Twitter to comment on Brendan’s performance on Sunday.

In view of his 302,000 followers, James tweeted: “Just watched @BrendanCole on catch-up on @dancingonice. I hate to admit it but he’s b****y brilliant !

“He was never the greatest dancer but when it comes to ice skating I think he’s going to be one of the best ever.

“Well done mate – and well done Vanessa for putting up with him.”

However, some viewers rushed to the comments section with some harsh words for James.

In defence of his friend, Brendan quickly clarified James’ post was a joke, writing in view of his 186,000 followers: “He was joking people. He’s always told me that I was the most incredible, amazing abs gifted pro dancer strictly has ever had – after him of course. Thanks James mate, it was epic to be out there.

“Hope I can be almost as good as you again.”

James promptly responded to Brendan sending him “big love”.

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