Professional dancer Brendan Cole has revealed on Lorraine this morning that he would not be returning to this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Cole got a bit upset as he told the host, "It's quite, actually, hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year.

"They've made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I'm a little bit in shock. I'm quite emotional, a bit raw about it.

"It's done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I'm very proud of the whole show. It's a great team."

Brendan has served as a dancer on Strictly since the original series back in 2004. On last year's show he was partnered with Charlotte Hawkins with the couple leaving in week three of the competition.

Cole took to Twitter at the time about what he saw as "disgusting" comments made by the judging panel about Charlotte's Cha-Cha performance. He also said the score system should be overhauled on Strictly in that there should be a handicap for celebrity contestants with professional dance training.

"I'm a very strong character within the show, I have my strong views. Some do [like it], some don't," he told Lorraine.

"I love that side of the show. I like being a character on the show. They look at the show every year, I've never been contracted more than one year."

He went on to say, "It's their decision, the powers that be within the BBC, they'll have a vision of the show and I'm not part of the vision, that's OK. Listen, I accept, you've got to accept what decisions are made.

"I would have preferred to have made the decision myself, but maybe I would never have made it because I love being on the show... I've asked this question many times of myself, 'When do I leave?' Every year, I've gone, 'I love the show too much'.

"I love the fact that I've been there from the start. I feel like I've made a massive difference to the show and to the show that it is today."

He added: "My passion is still very much there. I'll miss being part of the team. I'll miss being a Strictly dancer. It's kind of weird to imagine yourself not having that as your…

"I do a lot of other things of course, but the main thing I've been known for is to be a dancer on Strictly. Very odd to even say this out loud. It feels quite raw."

Aw Brendan. He will be missed.