The Shape I’m In: Brendan Cole, Strictly Come Dancing star

AFTER a night on the tiles, switching effortlessly between rumbas, salsas and cha cha chas, you’d imagine Brendan Cole’s tipple of choice would be a Latin, full-bodied red wine. 

But, no, the New Zealand-born ballroom dancer likes nothing more than a regular larger to slake his thirst.

“If it’s wet and cold, it makes me feel like a Kiwi. And there is nothing like that first beer after a show,” he says.

With the BBC hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, since it kicked off in 2004, the 38-year-old has built his career on the three pillars of stunning choreography, sublime dancing and a forthright personality, though he says he has reined in an earlier tendency for getting hot under the collar.

“I don’t like the old Brendan, when I used to be a little bit more aggressive, but with age you mature, you grow, you develop. I don’t believe in regrets. I believe you learn through life and through life’s experiences.”

Married to Zoe, the couple live in England and have a two-year-old daughter, Aurelia. “As a father, you’re thinking in a different way. Even from getting wills made, pensions, and things like that. It’s all geared towards the child.”

He describes his latest project, a new live show, as “a full-on night of entertainment”, featuring 14 musicians and eight dancers.

“It’s a two-hour production and I’m on stage for about and hour and 45 minutes of that. It’s going incredibly well with reviews, and everyone is walking out happy, which is lovely. I’m pretty proud of it.”

n Brendan Cole — A Night To Remember, Cork Opera House, March 19 and 20; Belfast, Waterfront Hall, March 21; Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, March 22

What shape are you in?

I’m in very good condition. We’ve been on the road with my tour now for nearly four weeks, plus a fairly intensive rehearsal period before it, so I’m fighting fit, thank you.

Do you have any health concerns?

I’ve got a bit of tennis elbow, which is very frustrating. It happens to be my right arm, the one I push my partner around with.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

My wife is very healthy and eats extremely well. A part of what she does rubs off on me. So I eat a lot of foods rich in nutrients — smoothies, juices, salads. For me, it’s everything in moderation. I’d love to say I don’t eat a lot of rubbish, but I do.

What your guiltiest pleasure?

I like a bit of white chocolate, a square or maybe four.

What would keep you awake at night?

I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders with the show. I put the whole thing together and I’ve got a good team around me.

I am also running my own business and then I have my family and the responsibility of just being a dad. I have a lot of stress, but, at the same time, I strive on pressure.

How do you relax?

I like to watch a bit of rugby. I also enjoy watching movies. Anything that can just get me out of my mind for a couple of hours is a good thing. Spending time with my wife and my daughter is obviously very important.

What is your favourite smell?

Cut grass.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’m fairly content with the way I look. I’m no model, but I’m OK. Potentially a smaller nose and to get rid of a mole or two, but, apart from that, I’m all right. I think we all need to try to be happy in our skins.

When is the last time you cried?

I can’t remember the last time I cried out loud. But I quite often cry when I see the horrible things that happen on the news. I’ve always have been fairly emotional.

What trait do you least like in others?

There are many... the worst thing is that people don’t tend to care about anybody else. They tend to put themselves first all the time.And I don’t like incompetence. If you’re in charge of a job, you best be good at it.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

As much as I love the fact I’m a perfectionist, it’s frustrating, because it means I spend a lot of time doing what I probably shouldn’t bother doing. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, it just drives my wife nuts.

Do you pray?

No. I believe in a way of life, in that you help everyone around you, if you can, and you don’t do wrong by other people.

What would cheer up your day?

Any time I see my little daughter. It’s pretty magical.

It’s not so amazing at 6 o’clock in the morning when she wakes up. But you can’t beat that first cuddle.