Brendan Cole shares verdict on Chris McCausland win as former BBC Strictly pro slams runner-up couple: ‘Not deserving’

Strictly Come Dancing came to an end on Saturday after a dazzling and emotional series marking its 20th year.

Chris McCausland made history as the show’s first-ever blind contestant and went on the lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell.

With the show now boasting 20 years of entertaining the nation, there are plenty of memorable dancers and celebrities from past two decades.

Among them is Brendan Cole, who starred as a dancer on Strictly from 2004 to 2017, and was known for his straight-talking approach.

While he’s no longer part of the show, the 48-year-old dancer continues to follow Strictly and the latest winners.

Not one to mince his words, Cole recently shared his thoughts that he was “surprised” about McCausland’s win before accusing the judges of giving out scores one couple in the final were “not deserving” of.

“I was, to a point, surprised to see him [Chris McCausland] win, because the dancing was pretty average – and generally people do want a good dancer to win,” he commented.

“I thought they’re probably going to push it in JB [Gill’s ] direction, because that’s the way the judges have seemed to want it to go throughout the series.

“I wouldn’t agree with that however, as for me, it had to be Tasha [Ghouri] or Chris,” he admitted to Express Online.

“I’m pleased in that respect, because in my opinion, they [JB Gill and Lauren Oakley] have not been deserving of the marks they’ve been getting for the most part.”

Cole went on to label Ghouri the “best celeb” to ever take part in the show, but noted her background dancing history as well.

During Saturday’s glitzy finale, emotions were running high in a moving instalment before McCausland was eventually crowned the series winner.

The comedian broke down in tears following the announcement, admitting: “It’s astonishing.”

“I don’t know what to say,” he continued. “I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two.

“And I know no one went out in the first week but I thought I still could!”

“We’ve just lasted and lasted, and she has got so much out of me,” he added as he pointed to Buswell.

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“I mean, she deserves this so much,” McCausland went on. “She’s just every day… positivity, belief and honestly one of the most easy people to be funny with I’ve ever met. Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me!

“And this is for her and it’s for everyone out there that got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t do something… and it just shows that with opportunity and support and determination, anything can happen.”

Buswell added: “Chris says this is for me, but it’s not for me, it is for me and you, Chris.

“We did this together. Without you, I couldn’t do this. So this is for both us us, we worked hard together and we did it!”