Strictly Come Dancing pro Brendan Cole has revealed he has mellowed in recent years, because he doesn’t want to embarrass his wife or daughter with his behaviour.
The dancer, who was paired with Casualty’s Sunetra Sarker in the 2014 series of Strictly Come Dancing, had a reputation as the “bad boy” of the BBC show because of his feisty nature, but says he has calmed down since becoming a dad and husband.
“I’m a different person these days,” says Brendan. “I was very outspoken in the past, but you change as you grow older and you become a bit more thoughtful and considered. Put it this way, nowadays I’m not afraid to be controversial if it’s necessary, but I do think before I speak!”
Brendan, 38, who has been married to model Zoe Hobbs for four years, continued: “When you have the responsibility of being a husband and a father, it’s different. I never want to do anything to embarrass my wife or daughter, whereas in the old days, when I was single, there wasn’t anybody to worry about upsetting.
“I don't want [two-year-old daughter] Aurelia looking back on footage or reports of me when she’s older and saying, ‘My dad’s an idiot!’ and I wouldn’t want Zoe to be embarrassed about being married to a man who’s ranting and raving.
“Now I’ve learnt to fight only the battles I need to,” Brendan adds, “the ones which mean something to me.”
Fans can see Brendan on his 48-date tour of the UK and Ireland with his dance spectacular, A Night To Remember, which starts later in January.
