Brendan Cole axed from Strictly Come Dancing by BBC after arguments with judges

Brendan Cole has announced he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years with the show.

He is one of the only two remaining original professionals, along with Anton Du Beke, and has been part of the show since 2004.

Cole claimed in an emotional interview that the BBC has not renewed his contract.

The New Zealand-born dancer appeared close to tears as he told ITV's Lorraine: "This is quite hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract – we get renewed year on year – and they made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show.

"I'm a little bit in shock. I'm quite emotional, a bit raw about it."

He explained he found out via a phone call, and said: "I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I'm very proud of the whole show. It's a great team.

"I'm disappointed. It's very hard to talk about. It's a recent decision."

The dancer hinted that the decision could be due to his "strong views", that he often expresses on the show: "I've always known this day would come. I'm sure I'll never know the ins and outs. I'm a very strong character within the show, I have my strong views."

Cole auditioned for the role of head judge after Len Goodman's departure but was passed over in favour of Shirley Ballas, which led to tension.

He argued with Ballas on the show and was dismissive of her in interviews. A BBC insider said: "Brendan tested as the new judge and didn't get it, and perhaps that made him bitter.

"He said things about Shirley in public that were not pleasant. It felt like the right time to refresh the line-up."

He seemed emotional when he voiced his feelings about no longer being on the show: "To feel I'm not going to be part of it anymore is… It's changed our lives dramatically.