FLEET-FOOTED Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole leads his dance spectacular, A Night To Remember, to the Lighthouse Poole on March 12. Cole describes the show as revealing “the real Brendan, who is more fun, naughty and cheeky away from Strictly, which is controlled and scripted”.

“In this, I host throughout and I’m happy to answer questions from the audience,” he adds.

“There’s a wonderful cast and a fantastic programme of music and ballroom and Latin dance.”

For years, he had a reputation as the ‘bad boy’ of Strictly because of his feisty nature, his outspoken and sometimes scathing comments, and his romantic links to a bevy of beautiful women.

Most famously, his eight-year relationship to fiancé and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup fell apart after he danced with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky in the first Strictly series in 2004, and their obvious smouldering on-screen chemistry helped them win. Kaplinsky has always denied any involvement with Cole.

“I’m a different person these days,” declares the 38-year-old who married Zoe, 32, in 2010. Aurelia was born on Christmas Day, 2012.

“When you’re happy and fulfilled in a relationship, it gives you more stability and a different perspective on life. I was very outspoken in the past, but you change as you grow older and you become a bit more thoughtful and considered.”

The New Zealander, who started dancing when he was six, is now the longest-serving professional dancer on the show, along with Anton du Beke.

Although the opportunity to lift the glitter ball for the second time has as yet eluded him, he has reached the final with Lisa Snowdon and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. In last year’s 12th series, he partnered Casualty star Sunetra Sarker and the pair were eliminated in week 10.

The secret of success on Strictly, he insists, is a partnership where the professional dancer enjoys a ‘rapport’ with the celebrity.

“It’s absolutely necessary. If you don’t gel it’s tough because you’re spending eight hours a day with that person.

“For instance, I had an incredible relationship with Sophie – we just had a connection, never had a cross word and it all came together. I also got on well with Lisa (Snowdon), Kelly Brook and Natasha Kaplinsky.

“While Sunetra and I enjoyed a good relationship, juggling the training with her TV work was hard and we didn’t have the time to bond like I have in the past with other celebrities.

“But we got further than we thought and we were both proud and pleased with how it went.”

Friendly and unassuming, Cole relishes every moment in the series and clearly appreciates his good fortune although he’s not surprised by it.

“I always had a belief that something amazing was going to happen to me one day,” he says. “I worked incredibly hard for years, and made a lot of sacrifices to pursue my dream of being a dancer and perfecting my art.

“I was always looking for opportunities.

“When Strictly came up, I took a chance on it, and then it was like everything came together. I just enjoy every series and hope it continues.”

n A Night To Remember is at the Lighthouse, Poole, on March 12