Brendan Cole may have been voted off this year’s series, but not before we saw a more sensitive side to Strictly Come Dancing’s resident bad boy.

After patiently coaching eco-entrepreneur (and former wife of Ronnie) Jo Wood, New Zealand’s most famous ballroom export will be showing us another dimension to his personality as he reaches Brighton, with a new show full of his favourite tunes and choreographed routines.

“People keep mentioning they’ve seen a softer side to me this year, so I guess they must have,” the man himself says, with a courtesy and warmth that’s some remove away from the fiery Cole of repute.

“I think in Strictly you get shown in a certain light, and it’s however they want to produce your VT packages, but it was a really sweet relationship. With this tour, it won’t be just about dancing, I’ll be talking a bit and chatting with the audience – I want them to feel involved in the show.”

Another obvious contrast is the choice of music. Cole and a cast of musicians and dancers will be performing to everything from Guns And Roses to the songs of Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

“When you’re making a television show, you’re limited to what kind of music you can use, so this is a chance to show what I feel dance can be about. I love dancing to Sinatra and the crooners’ stuff, so that features a lot, along with more modern music – it’s very exciting.”

Among the cast will be Cole’s brother Scott – himself a champion dancer – but Brendan says there’s unlikely to be any Oasis-style sibling meltdown. “He’s an ex-New Zealand dance champion, and it’s a great opportunity to spend time in each other’s company. It’s not very often you get the chance to work with your brother, but the best thing for me was that he was so excited to be doing it.”

He says it’s also possible Jo Wood will be joining Cole onstage for the odd number in Brighton.

Strictly has had its fair share of gossip and controversy over the years – Cole was rumoured to be romantically linked with former celebrity dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky (a subject he no longer discusses) as well as Abi Titmuss, and this year it’s seen a race row and the departure of judge Arlene Phillips. Doesn’t Cole wish it had been the perpetually outspoken Craig Revel Horwood who had gone instead?

“Good question! [laughs]. But no, even though Craig and I have our problems on-screen, it’s different off-screen. I do respect him and it’s a shame that Arlene’s gone, obviously, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s still a great show and Alesha’s a big part of it now.”

Perhaps it’s the angry outbursts and the reputation as dancefloor lothario, but there seems little doubt Cole has brought an unmistakable air of testosterone to an activity not normally associated with the alpha male. Did Cole get any grief for being a “sissy” growing up in New Zealand?

“Oh, all the time!” he says.

“But I think that’s why I kept at it. I’m the kind of person who, if you tell me I can’t do something, then I’ll do it. I’ll show you!”

* Brendan Cole: Live And Unjudged will be at Brighton Dome Concert Hall from Tuesday, Dec 22 until Monday, Dec 28. No performance on Thursday. Times vary. Call 01273 709709 for tickets.