Former Strictly pro Brendan Cole has opened up about what it's actually like to be feuding with your celebrity partner, amid rumours of Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington row.

The ITV Emmerdale alum has been forced to skip rehearsals ahead of Strictly Come Dancing week two - because he's filming BBC Waterloo Road.

“Sex symbol? It’s a huge compliment, but a big surprise. I am enormously flattered, I mean, who wouldn’t be?"

Brendan Cole said there were two people he really couldn't bear to be in the same room with

Brendan Cole said there were two people he really couldn't bear to be in the same room with

It comes after the actor couldn't hide his smile after he opened the 2023 run of the BBC One dance contest last Saturday night

Brendan Cole's comments come as speculation grows that Amanda Abbington and her partner, Giovanni Pernice, haven't been getting along backstage.

Strictly Come Dancing will see the 15 contestants take to the dance floor for the second time to impress the judges, with all scores making a big difference, as the first elimination looms.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole was dramatically dropped from the BBC show in 2018, and he alleged his contract wasn’t renewed in an ‘editorial decision’ by bosses

The pair wowed fans last week with Angela's thrilling debut on BBC Strictly Come Dancing.

Janette gave fans an insight into her It Takes Two preparations on Instagram, ahead of her first solo presenting episode, with fans rushing to praise her.

Rose, the BBC EastEnders star, spoke out on Instagram as she shared a snap of herself on Wednesday.

The head judge spoke out on Instagram on Wednesday with BBC viewers rushing to support her.

Fleur East welcomed the EastEnders star onto the BBC companion show It Takes Two with Dianne Buswell, where he discussed never having watched the show.

Layton Williams spoke out on ITV Lorraine, after coming joint-second in weekend one with pro partner Nikita Kuzmin.

Strictly Come Dancing pro spoke out on Instagram via his Story alongside Nikita Kanda on Wednesday as they prepare for their second routine on the show this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have made a prediction about Gorka Marquez's chances on the BBC show this year

Pro dancer spoke out on Instagram as she posed with her beau on social media ahead of week two of the 2023 series, where she's dancing with Bobby Brazier.