Is Brendan Cole about to quit Strictly Come Dancing?

There is speculation about Brendan Cole's future on Strictly Come Dancing after he and ITV presenter Charlotte Hawkins last night became the third couple to leave the competition.

Cole is understood to have been disappointed that he was not offered the chance to replace Len Goodman on the judging panel – a feeling that intensified when new judge Shirley Ballas criticised his tango last week. Cole responded to the criticism at the time in a feisty exchange of views.  

Then last night, after he and Hawkins were evicted, Cole delivered a lengthy speech, which some have interpreted as a farewell from the 41-year-old, who has taken part in every series of the show since it started in 2004.

"Quite often you stand in this position and you go, 'hey, it was our time to go,' and perhaps today it was our time to go.

"Not often you stand here with such sadness and go, 'I'm going to miss this,' and I’m going to miss hanging out with this girl.

'I've had one of the best Strictly's in 15 years and it's hard for me to even say that and I feel really emotional."

Meanwhile, a source confirmed to The Sun that those who work on the show are concerned Cole will now walk away.

"He loves being a part of the show," the source said, "but his lack of promotion and clashes with judges this year have led top bosses to wonder how long he'll stick around for.

"They don't want him to leave. Deep down, Brendan doesn't want to either – but options are being weighed up."

Cole and Hawkins were only awarded 19 points by the judges for their jive to Bruno Mars's Marry You. They were evicted from the competition after a dance off with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami.