Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has addressed her alleged feud with Brendan Cole describing him as “an amazing dancer, amazing person”.

Wallasey-born Shirley, 57, and Cole clashed on air during the last series of the BBC One show over his tango with Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins.

New Zealand-born Cole revealed in January he would not be returning to Strictly following the BBC’s “editorial decision” not to renew his contract.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, Shirley said: “I don’t have any recollection on a personal level of bridges ever being broken or rebuilt between me and Brendan.

“He is an amazing dancer, an amazing person, whose career I have followed for many, many years and I’m extremely proud of what he’s achieved both at work and at home.

“One of the things people learn with me is I don’t need to pull someone else down to build myself up and I will live and die by that rule.

“There has been no face-to-face confrontation and all I can say is I wish him, his wife and their two beautiful children well because, whatever he does next, I know he will bring 100% to his role.”

The ballroom dancing champion said she would like to return to the series again this year but that nothing was “as yet official”.

During a photo shoot at her Los Angeles home, she told Hello!: “I hope to be back, I’d like to, but as yet nothing’s official. My critiques will always remain firm. I will say it as I see it, though you can’t help but get emotionally attached to the couples.”

Read the full story in this week’s issue of Hello!