Brendan Cole in License to Thrill at Plymouth Pavilions

BRENDAN Cole is known for his quick moves. But one particularly fast one came close to spelling disaster for his dancing career.

He was indulging another of his passions, motor-racing, when the Morgan car slammed into a tyre wall at 73mph on the Silverstone track.

"It was one of those moments when you think, 'oh no, how will this end?'," says Brendan, 36.

"It could have been catastrophic. Luckily I was able to walk away although I hurt my leg quite a lot and was on crutches.

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"It was a reality check. I love motor-sport but that is probably the end of it for me."

Brendan was taking part in the Classic Celebrity Challenge last year and suddenly had more on his mind than the possible disastrous consequences for his dancing.

He has a family to consider with his wife, Zoe, who is a model, and their baby.

"Zoe loves her motor-sport too but we had not really discussed the dangers before.

"It made me realise even more that I have a family to support."

Daughter Aurelia, their first child, arrived on Christmas Day.

Happily Brendan was able to put the family first that day. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, in which he danced with model Kelly Brook, was pre-recorded.

The Kiwi-born Latin American dance specialist has appeared in all ten series of the BBC favourite and partnered TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky to victory in the first.

He admits to being surprised by the continuing popularity of the show.

"I thought five years ago that there were probably a couple of years left and here we are, just finished the tenth series.

"It's been probably the best yet. We had the biggest viewing figures. For some reason the show just keeps growing."

Many would point to Brendan as to one reason why Strictly has a such strong, continuing appeal.

He was as well-known for his romances as his fancy footwork, which helped fill tabloid gossip columns, before Zoe came on the scene.

The dark good looks, taste for adventure, love of fast cars (he drives an Audi A5 and aspires to an RS5) and previous reputation for dating a string of glamorous and famous women, combine to give him an aura of certain special agent.

Brendan plays along, calling his new touring show Licence To Thrill.

He says the Plymouth Pavilions audience on January 27 can expect some top tunes from the 14-piece band playing music from across the ages with dances to match.

Younger brother Scott (who teaches dance in London) is again on the bill and will be spilling the beans on the famous member of the family. "It wouldn't be the same without him," says Brendan.

The Strictly star will partner French dancer Fauve Hautot. "She is one of those people who mesmerise audiences," he promises.

With the series 11 of Strictly not due until the autumn, there are plenty of other diversions for Brendan whose talents off the stage including judging (for the New Zealand version), presenting a travel show (again in his homeland), running his own dance academy and singing (he has appeared on the BBC's Just The Two Of Us in a duet with Beverley Knight and on ITV's Sing If You Can).

There is no doubting that his first love is dance but he says: "I keep diversifying. I consider myself an entertainer rather than just a dancer."

He will 'keeeeeep' dancing, but not forever.

"I don't want to dance until I am 65 trying to earn a crust."