The Head Judge has surprisingly called him an “amazing person”, despite rumours of a backstage feud leading to BBC bosses axing him from the line-up of professional dancers.
She said: “I don’t have any recollection on a personal level of bridges ever being broken or rebuilt between me and Brendan.
“He is an amazing dancer, an amazing person, whose career I have followed for many, many years and I’m extremely proud of what he’s achieved both at work and at home.”
She added: “One of the things people learn with me is I don’t need to pull someone else down to build myself up and I will live and die by that rule.”
The pair were rumoured to have fallen out backstage following an on-air clash during last year’s series.
Revealing he regretted referring to Shirley as “my dear” live on-air, he told the Daily Mail, he said: “I don’t know if that was handled the right way on air. If you disagree with somebody, which I did that particular day about the way she felt we danced the tango, you have the right to say what I did.
“I didn’t get aggressive. I said: ‘Well, I disagree’ ... Then Bruno stepped in and said his piece, that I should be more respectful, which I still don’t get. But what I certainly regret is saying: ‘I will, my dear.’”
“The phrase ‘my dear’ is patronising and I certainly didn’t mean to be. I’m not a patronising person,” he continued. “But I’d just done a dance live on air with Charlotte, who I really care about. You want the best for her. You want to stay in the show and you know you’re vulnerable because you’re certainly not one of the best couples.”
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns to BBC One in the autumn.
Read the full interview with Shirley in this week’s Hello magazine, on sale now.
Strictly Come Dancing 2018: All The Rumoured Contestants
Gemma Collins(01 of08)
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Joey isn’t the only ‘TOWIE’ star to be linked to the new series. Gemma Collins’ approach to getting on the show was to threaten not to sue the BBC after she fell through the floor at last year’s Radio 1 Teen Awards if she was given a spot on ‘Strictly’.
But judge Craig Revel Horwood isn’t convinced, insisting the GC isn’t the right “calibre” for ‘Strictly’. But Gemma remained unrepentant, telling OK! Magazine: "I'll burst onto that dance floor and show them what a samba is! He won't know what's hit him." (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Piers Morgan(02 of08)
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The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter could be following in his colleague Susanna Reid’s footsteps after he tweeted a snap of him dancing with former contender and Labour MP Ed Balls. He captioned the shot: "BREAKING: My #Strictly training has begun."
His nemesis Lord Sugar upped the stakes when he offered to donate £25,000 to charity if Piers does take part, and an additional £25,000 if he gets past week five. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Dan Walker(03 of08)
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Piers further fuelled rumours that he’d be taking to the ‘Strictly’ dance floor after his BBC Breakfast rival Dan Walker was linked to the new series. Piers said: “I would seriously consider [Strictly] if it meant giving Walker a lesson in how to dance in front of nine million people.” (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Michelle Keegan(04 of08)
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‘Strictly’ did wonders for Michelle’s husband Mark Wright’s profile when he made the 2014 final. The former ‘Corrie’ star and ‘Our Girl’ actress has been rumoured to be at the top of ‘Strictly’ bosses’ wish-list for the last few years, so will we finally see her take to the dance floor in 2018? (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Les Dennis(05 of08)
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The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor has hinted on more than one occasion that he’d love to appear on ‘Strictly’. During an appearance on ‘Sunday Brunch’ he said: “When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren't allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn't mind doing it, I always like a challenge."
He reiterated his interest during an appearance on ‘This Morning’ earlier this year, saying: "I would love to do it. Yes please. Ice skating, well maybe…that's more scary. But who knows.” (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Nadiya Hussain(06 of08)
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The ‘Bake Off’ champ is a big fan of 'Strictly' and after being invited to watch one of the live shows last year, BBC bosses reportedly made no secret of how much they’d love Nadiya to appear on the new series. (credit:HGL via Getty Images)
Holly Willoughby(07 of08)
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The ‘This Morning’ presenter is a self-confessed ‘Strictly’ superfan, admitting that she’d “love” to learn some new moves on the 'Strictly' dancefloor. She admitted: "I'm obsessed with Strictly, so I'd love to learn to dance." (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Cheryl(08 of08)
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We can’t help but think this is a serious case of wishful thinking, mainly on behalf of head judge Shirley Ballas who has stated she would love to see Chezza strutting her stuff. "I think Cheryl Cole would be amazing,” she said. So do we Shirl, but we reckon there’s more chance of Girls Aloud getting back together. (credit:Empics Entertainment)