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BRENDAN Cole was axed from Strictly Come Dancing after waltzing with Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
BBC chiefs and show judges were raging after Brendan, 41, ignored a briefing and asked the Duchess to dance on a festive special.
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The Sun can reveal judges on the show — including Craig Revel Horwood — were raging that the cocky Kiwi took matters into his own hands by asking the Duchess of Cornwall to dance.
A Strictly source said: “It was the last straw, they saw he couldn’t be controlled.”
He ignored weeks of careful preparation and strict rules to steal the limelight during filming of the show’s Christmas special.
It was the last straw for bosses, who had tired of the 41-year-old’s arrogance and diva behaviour behind the scenes.
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Brendan Cole's most memorable moments from his time on Strictly Come Dancing
A senior Strictly source said: “The event had been very carefully orchestrated, largely due to Craig’s friendship with Camilla — and everyone, including Brendan, had been given an extremely clear briefing.
“It was a tea dance in aid of an osteoporosis charity encouraging older people to stay active and each of the professionals was to pair up with the guests while Craig danced with Camilla.
“But Brendan being Brendan had to make it about him and ignored everyone and made a beeline for Camilla — who politely didn’t cause a scene.
“Everyone was outraged by the cheek of his actions, he always has to be centre of attention.
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“It was the final straw for everyone involved with the show and the BBC. They just realised he couldn’t be controlled.”
After the event, Brendan boasted about what he had done.
Alongside an Instagram snap of him dancing with 70-year-old Camilla, he wrote: “I love this. I asked the delightful Duchess of Cornwall if it was ok to ask her to dance? Luckily she said yes.
“What a charming host and wonderful day.” After the November event, Brendan admitted he was probably breaking protocol.
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He said in an interview: “I thought somebody was about to grab me and kick me out.”
Judge Craig, 53, was still able to enjoy his planned dance with the Duchess shortly afterwards and footage was shown on TV.
But a source said: “He was still very angry about what had happened. He couldn’t believe Brendan would do that after so much careful planning and discussion.”
There is no suggestion Camilla was unhappy and no suggestion she complained to the BBC or asked for any action to be taken.
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A Clarence House spokesman said: “The Duchess thoroughly enjoyed her dance with Brendan just as much as she did her dance with Craig.”
Brendan’s spokeswoman denied he was briefed by BBC bosses.
Strictly's Anton Du Beke predicts Brendan Cole will be a success on Dancing With The Stars-
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