BRENDAN COLE – A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Brendan Cole is a professional Ballroom and Latin dancer, best known for his role on the BBC entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing.
Having started dancing in his native New Zealand aged six, after being dragged along to classes by his mother, Brendan competed there as an amateur dancer until the age of 18 when he packed his bags and headed to the bright lights of London. At this time England and particularly South London was the centre of the ballroom dancing world. Having been inspired by the top professional dancers and teachers, Brendan’s dancing went from strength to strength. He eventually turned professional in January 2000 having previously won the New Zealand amateur title on three occasions.
During his time as a competitive Ballroom and Latin dancer, Brendan and his partner gained such credentials as New Zealand Amateur and Professional Champions, Amateur Asia-Pacific Champions, Professional Semifinalists in the World, International, United Kingdom Open and most prestigiously the British Open Championships as well as third place in the British Open Rising Star Championships.
In 2004 Brendan was approached by the BBC to take part in a brand-new television show then known as Pro-Celebrity Come Dancing, a new spin on the hugely popular Come Dancing which was originally broadcast in 1949 and ran until 1998. Initially Brendan had reservations about appearing on the show as he was concerned it may make a mockery of what he believed was perceived as a world of ‘tea and cucumber sandwiches’.
Having had his fears put to rest after participating in the pilot for the show, Brendan danced the very first dance on the first show of what was to eventually become known as Strictly Come Dancing. Brendan went on to win this series with his celebrity partner, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. To date, Brendan along with his colleague and friend Anton du Beke, is one of only two professionals to have competed in all 13 series. During his time on the show, Brendan has been honoured to dance with such celebs as Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowdon, Jo Wood, Victoria Pendleton, Sunetra Sarker, Kirsty Gallacher and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Having quickly established himself as a television personality and household name, Brendan has been fortunate enough to appear on many other television shows such as singing contests Just The Two Of Us partnering Beverly Knight, and Sing If You Can hosted by Keith Lemon, chat shows such as Al Murray’s Happy Hour and even a judging role on New Zealand’s Dancing With The Stars alongside Craig Revel Horwood.
In 2010 Brendan felt he was ready for a new challenge and put his creative expertise to work in the conception of his first touring theatre show Live and Unjudged which played to rave reviews. Following on from this came the sell-out Licence to Thrill which lead to his 7th and now 8th UK tours and his third production, A Night to Remember.
Brendan credits his theatre tours along with the birth of his daughter, Aurélia, in 2012 as his proudest achievements. “It’s an incredible feeling knowing I have created something that people are wanting to come along to, enjoy and be a part of. I love every second of being on that stage and am extremely proud of the road it has taken to allow me to perform in this way. I’m so grateful to have these opportunities and every night I’m on stage is a privilege.”
On a personal level, Brendan believes he is the happiest and most fulfilled he has ever been following his marriage to Zoe in 2010 and the birth of his daughter in 2012.
“I am in a really good place in my life right now. I have a job that I adore and a fantastic creative outlet in my tour and then I have my wonderful family to come home to. Life is pretty great.”
A Night To Remember is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 18 February.
Tickets* £34 & £36. To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
*All prices include a £1 restoration levy