Cole leaves 'Strictly' after father's death

Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has decided to take a leave of absence from the show following the death of his father.

The 34-year-old discovered that his father Eddie had lost a ten-year battle with leukaemia just hours before last night's programme, yet still took to the dancefloor with his celebrity partner Michelle Williams.

However, the Daily Mail reports that Cole has now opted to take time out from the show and this morning returned to his native New Zealand along with his wife and brother.

A friend of Cole explained: "Brendan is incredibly disciplined and always professional, so he went out on the dancefloor on Saturday night.

"He didn’t tell any of the contestants, I think he was just in a state of shock. His father had been ill for quite a while, but Brendan is of course devastated."

A Strictly spokesperson added: "Brendan Cole's father has passed away and Brendan has gone back to New Zealand to be with his family.

"Michelle Williams will continue on Strictly Come Dancing and will be partnered with Ian Waite for this week's show until Brendan returns the following week. Our thoughts are with Brendan and his family."

Earlier this week, Anne Widdecombe announced that she would remain in the competition after the recent passing of her brother.

Cole previously saw his partner in the 2007 series, model and actress Kelly Brook, quit after her own father died of cancer during the show's run.