Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has laughed off an online report that he had died but is unsure whether a chest infection will keep him out of this weekend's show.
The 40-year-old dancer, who is partnered with singer Anastacia, went to hospital with breathing difficulties ahead of last Saturday's show but later took to the dancefloor for their rumba. The couple then had to perform again in the dance-off, where the judges voted to keep them on the show.
However, on medical advice Cole did not take part in this week's training, with fellow professional Gorka Marquez standing in.
Cole, who says he is on the mend, initially described the report of his death as "very disturbing" but later tweeted about seeing the funny side of the story.
Ps...report yesterday of me having died...very much untrue! lol pic.twitter.com/EDIYI7OBQb
— Brendan Cole (@BrendanCole) October 21, 2016
The Strictly stalwart suffered pneumonia earlier this year and writing on his website on Wednesday said he had decided to "get checked out and make sure it was not a serious chest infection and end up in the same situation all over again".
"The hospital looked after me very well and I went home a few hours later, diagnosed with a minor chest infection to be delt (sic) with in the normal way," he said.
Cole also dismissed reports that he was clutching his chest after last weekend's performances.
"During both the Saturday show and the results show, it was reported by various publications that I was clearly seen clutching at my chest in a bid to breathe," he said. "All I was trying to do was cover my microphone so as not to cough down it to a few million people watching at home - I know, I'm so considerate."
Looking ahead to this weekend, Cole said: "Should I not be ready, Gorka and Anastacia will perform their quickstep with me cheering them on from Claudia's [Winkleman, Strictly co-host] sofa or my own."
me and @gorkamarquez1 sending u a get well kiss @BrendanCole,,, We are working hard on our quickstep! https://t.co/XityTes5mM
— Anastacia (@AnastaciaMusic) October 19, 2016
"Let's hope Anastacia, Gorka and I can do a great job on Saturday and get ourselves through to Halloween week (which is usually my favourite of the series)," he added.
