Brendan Cole hits back after being called 'selfish'

Brendan Cole has fired back at critics who called him “selfish” and "insensitive" after he spoke out about the Covid lockdowns and vaccines from a bar in Mallorca.

The Strictly star landed in hot water with some of his Instagram followers when he shared a picture of himself enjoying a beer outside the pub and said it was “lovely to finally be able to support bars and restaurants devastated by ridiculous and unfair closers”.

He added the hashtags “#sosturismo #sosrestaurante #travel #notovaccinepassport #nuremburgcode #noinforcedvaccine #yourbodyyourchoice”.

Cole’s remarks and hashtags sparked a debate, with one of his followers calling him “ill-informed and dangerous to society” and telling him to “stick to dancing”.

The 44-year-old replied: “I believe it’s a person’s right to chose (sic) if they have a medical procedure. I believe it’s right that we try to save businesses that have been decimated and in many cases not helped by the government.

"I don’t think it’s right to have a vaccine passport as too many people can’t have for very good reasons. It’s discriminatory at best. I’ve said nothing irresponsible, simply had an opinion.”

The star was also accused of “gloating” when UK restrictions mean pubs are closed, but others rushed to defend him and pointed out that the rules are different in Mallorca .

Cole was also branded “selfish” by some, but he asked: “A selfish tit for wanting people’s business’ back up and running and for freedom of choice? For the record I have played by the rules even though I did not necessarily agree with them!”

“If you want to call me names... do it from an educated position and not hiding behind your phone,” he went on.

In the series of posts, Cole said he felt everyone had a right to their opinion.

“It’s a shame we all can’t just have a conversation and respect other opinions but as you can see from this thread, a simple opinion of mine has caused negativity rather than conversation and no doubt if the media pick it up I will be labelled as an Anti-Vax or irresponsible rather than just an individual with an opinion on what’s right for me, my family abs (sic) my business,” he said.