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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kyle O'Sullivan

Brendan Cole coupled up with Loose Women star on Love Island and had punch-up

We all remember Brendan Cole from Strictly Come Dancing, but only those with strong memories will recall his appearance on Love Island.

The Dancing on Ice star, who is skating with a new partner this week, jetted off to an island in Fiji with other single celebrities in 2006.

Before he found love with wife Zoe Hobbs, he spent seven weeks in paradise alongside the likes of Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan, Boyzone singer Shane Lynch and glamour model Sophie Anderton.

Way before we started seeing unknown singletons trying to find love in the Hideaway, we were treated to a bunch of celebs being voted to enter the 'love shack' together.

But it wasn't Brendan's romantic misadventures which sparked headlines, because he got into a physical fight with Hollyoaks actor Lee Otway.

Six weeks into their experience, Brendan left Lee bleeding from his ear after punching him six times and saying: "That's one punch for every week you've pissed me off."

Brendan tried to find romance on Love Island (Unknown)

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The fist fight happened in the back of a limousine following a boozy day out on a luxury yacht.

"A few beers have been had and true feelings have come out," explained Brendan, who remarkably wasn't kicked off the show.

"I said my piece and then I get a punch thrown at me, and I must say I don't take too kindly to being hit."

He added: "I didn't appreciate a punch thrown at me and I acted, I think, accordingly. I'm disappointed it's come to that after six weeks on Love Island because this should have been an amazing experience."

Lee complained that Brendan had started it by insulting him, although he was first to respond with violence, and threatened to leave.

"He was telling me I lay it on thick, I'm always trying to be the centre of attention, disrespectful behaviour," Lee said at the time.

Brendan finished in second place (ITV)
He coupled up with Loose Women's Kelle Bryan (ITV)

"He hit me six times. I was whacking back, he said that's one punch for every week you pissed me off, he was asking me to try hitting him again.

"I want to go home now. I want to walk after that, being battered in the head six times and made to look like an a**hole. I know in my heart I was in the right."

Lee decided to stay and the pair later hugged and made up, but Brendan was pretty unrepentant.

"In the same situation I would do the same thing again. I am not saying I am wrong," he insisted.

Brendan managed to reach the final after coupling up with Eternal singer Kelle Bryan, who is now a regular Loose Women panelist and Hollyoaks star.

They finished in second place behind winners Calum Best and Bianca Gascoigne, who went on to have a brief romance after filming wrapped.

Brendan was given the boot from Strictly in 2018 but is now back on our screens on Dancing on Ice.

Over the years he developed a a bit of a 'bad boy' image due to his constant rows with the judges and 'do or die' reputation.

Vanessa has got Covid (ITV)

"I had 15 years of that narrative, regardless of how funny I was or the silly stuff that I got up to backstage," he told The Mirror last month.

"If my Strictly partner wanted to work hard and try and be there at the end, I’d be working my backside off. But if my partner was like, ‘I don’t want it that much’, that was fine also."

The New Zealand-born star added: "Now people can see what I’m really like – a bit of an idiot most of the time!"

Brendan has been skating with pro Vanessa Bauer, but unfortunately she won't be taking part this week after testing positive for Covid.

“Unfortunately, Vanessa Bauer is unable to skate this weekend after testing positive for Covid-19. We look forward to Vanessa returning to the competition soon,” a spokesperson for the ITV show confirmed.

But former Strictly Come Dancing star will still take to the ice after asking to be partnered with a male professional.

"Brendan Cole will still perform in this Sunday's show and will be partnered with professional skater Brendyn Hatfield," they added.

Brendan is "absolutely gutted" that he won't be skating with Vanessa but is thrilled to be forming an all-male partnership with Brendyn, who was previously with S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens.

“However, and with Vanessa’s blessing I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to create something fantastic for Musicals Week with Brendyn," said Brendan.

"He's an exceptionally talented skater and I have no doubt we will be able to create something really special for the show! I can’t thank him enough for stepping in."

For Musicals Week, Brendan and Brendyn will skate to Beggin' by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from the hit show Jersey Boys.

"I am excited that Brendan gets to skate and challenge himself with an incredible fellow pro and friend in Brendyn," said Vanessa.

"I have no doubt they will absolutely smash this Sunday. I’m looking forward to returning to the competition to showcase more creative routines!"

*Dancing on Ice airs tonight on ITV at 6pm

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