Strictly’s Brendan Cole temporarily replaced as he recovers from lung infection

The dancer was rushed to hospital

Published 19th Oct 2016

Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has been temporarily replaced by eliminated dancer Gorka Marquez, as he continues to recover following a lung infection.

Brendan was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning with a nasty chest infection but managed to perform with his partner Anastasia on last weekend’s show.

But now Brendan has strict instructions from doctors to rest, leaving Strictly bosses with no option but to temporarily replace him with Gorka.

Speaking on Strictly's spin-off show, It Takes Two, Brendan told host Zoe Ball, “I'll let you in on a little secret, we have the lovely Gorka stepping in for me for a few days whilst I try and recover and beat this little chest infection."

Brendan jokingly added “I don't know how happy I am about it, he's Spanish, he's good looking, and he's got a body that's pretty much the best on the show."

Gorka, who left the show in week two with EastEnders actress Tameka Epson, will train with Anastacia all week to the routine Brendan choreographed.

Doctors are set to assess the 40-year-old later in the week and make a decision about whether he is fit enough to perform.

Brendan has been a permanent figure of the popular dancing show since it first hit TV screens in 2004, with celebrity partners including Natasha Kaplinksky, Lisa Snowden and Lulu.

Meanwhile, after Naga Munchetty’s exit on last weekend’s show, the remaining celebrities will continue to battle it out to be ballroom champion on Saturday.