As a professional dancer on Britain's biggest television show Strictly Come Dancing, Brendan's career within the media and television world has grown rapidly since the show's inception back in 2004. Now about to embark on his 14th series of the TV show, Brendan's adaptation from dancer to producer and entertainer, shows no signs of slowing as he prepares to deliver his 4th production and 9th nationwide theatre tour of the UK. Brendan's dance, music and chat show Brendan Cole - All Night Long will hit theatres in January, February, March & April 2017.
His current theatre tour follows on from his previous three hugely successful stage shows Live & Unjudged, Licence To Thrill & A NightTo Remember. Previously, Brendan and his 22 strong cast have dazzled audiences with their exciting choreography, phenomenal live music and huge production. Modestly described by Brendan as ‘An evening with style show with something for everyone,’ his next show is set to be bigger and better than ever with an extended cast and and brand new feel. Brendan’s latest theatre show will be touring the UK and Ireland in 2017 and 2018.
In his personal life, Brendan’s life revolves around his family. Christmas day 2012 saw Brendan’s wife Zoë give birth to their beautiful daughter Aurélia. Brendan’s softer side is nowadays said to be obvious on and off the screen which many attribute to him being happy as a father and as a husband.
Before television, Brendan’s professional career between was solely within the Ballroom and Latin American dance scene. As a world renowned dancer, demonstrating, teaching, competing and lecturing.within the world of the Professional Latin American dance & ranked within the top 12 or the world, the dream of becoming World Champion was always his goal but when the BBC approached him with the offer of Strictly Come Dancing, his career took a very sharp turn to that of television and media where he has remained until this day.
Before becoming the persona he is known to be today, Brendan's early days were not as easy as he perhaps would've liked, but he does say that they made him who he is and for that he is grateful. Dancing from the age of 6 in a day preceding the television world of Strictly, he says he wasn't so much bullied during his school years but certainly teased on occasion which fuelled his more feisty nature but also pushed him to be the best he could be at everything he did. He attributes his success today to the many challenges he faced during his earlier days and and says 'Although at times it was difficult, I am glad for the school of hard knocks I had as a kid and looking back I loved my childhood, the good and the bad.'
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand with it's outdoor lifestyle, Brendan's love of Sport and nature has continued to grow here in the UK. Having moved here at the age of 18 and now at the age of 40, Brendan with his wife Zoe Cole and their daughter Aurélia Cole reside in the English countryside so Brendan's life is not that far removed from the one he grew up knowing. Having played most sports throughout his childhood and living in a county that is renowned for it's natural beauty, Brendan hopes to show that New Zealand way of life to his daughter and let her enjoy her Kiwi roots as well as the English ones she gets from her Mummy.
Brendan puts success down to four things. Hard work, a little luck, deciding which door to walk through when an opportunity presents itself and creating opportunities one desires. Brendan's decision to move to the UK away from his friends and family six days before his 19th Birthday helps sum up this ethos as well as showing Brendan's character. His determination to succeed has been apparent from an early age. With his passion for dance, there was only one place for him as he packed his bags with £1000 in his pocket and a one way ticket to England where his dreams awaited! Competing as an amateur dancer and later turning professional, Brendan's initial dream to be world champion was never realised. However, his time competing and his striving for perfection was only just the beginning. All the hard work and years of dedication would pay off but in a very different way to the one he set out to acheive within the dance world and in his words 'You never know what awaits you around the corner.'
Since entering into the world of media and television, Brendan has appeared on many different shows including being on the judging panel of New Zealand's Dancing With The Stars, being a contestant on Just the Two Of Us and Love Island here in the UK. He has been a panelist on various talk shows and even had a cameo in the much loved children's television program The Sooty Show.
Strictly Come Dancing (TV Series) 2004-2014
TFI Friday (TV Show) 2015)
Children in Need (TV Series) 2015
The Sooty Show (TV Series) 2011
What Do Kids Know (TV Series) 2007
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (TV Series) 2007 - 2015
Dancing With The Stars (NZ TV Series) 2006 - 2010
Intrepid Journeys (NZ TV Series Documentary) 2009
Loose Women (TV Series) 2007 -2014
Pointless Celebrities (TV Series) 2012
All Star Mr & Mrs (TV Series) 2012
A Question of Sport (TV Series) 2011
Daybreak (TV Series) 2011
The Vanessa Show (TV Series) 2011
The Real Hustle (TV Series documentary) 2010
Shooting Stars (TV Series) 2010
The David Dickinson Show (TV Series) 2010
The Wright Stuff (TV Series) 2007 - 2010
Angela and Friends (TV Series) 2009 - 2010
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model (TV Series) 2006 - 2009
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (TV Series) 2009
The Almost Perfect Guide to Life (TV Series) 2009
The Weakest Link (TV Series) 2008
Best Ever Worst Dance Moments (TV Movie documentary) 2008
Celebrity Ding Dong (TV Series) 2008
Murder Most Famous (TV Series) 2006
Happy Birthday Brucie! (TV Movie documentary) 2008
Al Murray- Happy Hour (TV Series) 2008
The Alan Titchmarsh Show (TV Series) 2008 - 2013
The Strictly Come Dancing Story (TV Movie documentary) 2007
Live at the Apollo (TV Series) 2006-2007
Children in Need (TV Series) 2007
The National Television Awards 2007 (TV Movie)
Eurovision Dance Contest (TV Movie) 2007
Dancing on Ice: Defrosted (TV Series) 2007
Trisha Goddard (TV Series) 2007
Just the Two of Us (TV Series) 2006
Celebrity Love Island (TV Series) 2005
2005 TV Moments (TV Movie) 2005
All-Time Greatest Love Songs (TV Movie documentary) 2004
Sport Relief 2004 (TV Special) 2004