Brendan Cole has wished his former Strictly Come Dancing co-stars “all the best” as rehearsals kick off for the sixteenth series.
It was announced in January that the dancer, 42, wouldn’t be returning to the BBC show despite being part of the cast since series one.
However, proving there are no hard feelings between himself and the show’s bosses, Brendan took to Instagram on Monday to send a message to his ‘Strictly friends’.
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He posted a clip of himself sitting next to a pool as he admitted he’s “missing” his old co-stars, while congratulating the show’s new stars.
Brendan said: “This is a message to all of my Strictly friends who are back in the studio today, today is day one of season 16.
“Guys, wishing you all the very best for the brand new season.”
He continued: “For the new guys, congratulations for joining the show, you’re going to have a ball and to my old friends, missing you lots.
“But I can’t wait to hear and see what you’ve been up to and we’ll catch up very soon.”
Fans praised Brendan for his message with one person writing: “That’s so good and so professional of you. You’re a good man.”
Another said: “What a lovely thing to do. Good on you Brendan,” while a third commented: “Series won’t be the same without you!”
Strictly fans were stunned earlier this year when the father-of-two announced his shock exit from the show.
Brendan confirmed his departure during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine in January, saying he was shocked and gutted not to have been invited back.
He said: “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.”
In response, Strictly issued a statement saying: “We’d like to thank Brendan Cole for being part of the show since the beginning – winner of the first series – and for the contribution he has made to its success.
“We wish him all the very best for the future.”
Meanwhile, the brand new series is set to return this autumn and rehearsals started this week.
The judges and celebrity contestants for this year’s Strictly have yet to be revealed.
In May the BBC announced the names of the three new professional dancers who will be joining the line-up.
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They are Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima, South African Latin champion Johannes Radebe and four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship Luba Mushtuk.
The trio will join Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Dianna Buswell, Kevin Clifton, Janette Manrara, Gorka Marquez, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Pasha Kovalev, Oti Mabuse, Nadiya Bychkova, Anton Du Beke, AJ Pritchard, Neil Jones and Giovanni Pernice.
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