STRICTLY BAWLROOM

Jo Wood breaks down after steps crisis

Jo Wood breaks down on Strictly Come Dancing

TANGO AWAY: Jo wipes a tear

TWIST & SHOUT: Jo lays into partner

NAT-TER: Jo tells Natalie about the bust-up

CHAT CHAT CHAT: Brendan reasons with Jo

By Robbie Collin, 06/09/2009

THIS is the dramatic moment when sobbing Strictly star Jo Wood threatened to waltz off the show after a massive FOXSTROP.

The tearful wife of wrinkly rocker Ronnie broke down during rehearsals on Friday after struggling to learn her new steps.

Our exclusive snaps show Brendan Cole turning on the Cha Cha Cha-rm as he tries to get a smile from his weeping dance partner.

Jo - who recently landed a £11.5 million out-of-court divorce deal with Rolling Stone Ronnie - stomped out during a group dance practice.

Celebs and pro dancers were running through the routine for Strictly Come Dancing's opening two night-special in a couple of weeks' time.

Aghast

Fellow dancers, including ex-EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, followed Jo, 53 outside and looked on aghast as she cried about her problems.

Red-faced BBC1 producers, who were filming the dancing, ran after Jo to comfort her and persuade her to continue.

Brendan, 33, then emerged from the London studio to make sure Jo was OK. The perfectionist Kiwi has a reputation as a hothead who places exacting demands on his dance partners.

But insiders say Brendan has been a rock for Jo - and has been doing everything to get her through her crisis.

A Beeb insider revealed: "There is no denying that Jo has been having a hard time. Strictly is an incredibly demanding show and she is feeling the heat.

"She had a bit of a breakdown on Friday when it all became too much. The first show is only two weeks away and there is enormous pressure on all the celebrities.

"While Jo has been in the limelight for years with Ronnie, she has not done a lot of TV. Clearly she is worried that her dancing will not be up to scratch.

"We all know the pressure heaped on Fiona Phillips and Kate Garraway in previous series when their dancing was criticised. Jo is doing everything to make sure that doesn't happen.

"She loves the show, she loves working with Brendan and she wants to do her best. She doesn't want to disappoint anyone - least of all Brendan."

For once Brendan played the good guy with his dance partner - unlike some of his past efforts.

Kelly Brook stormed out of rehearsals a few weeks into 2007's competition, storming: "F*** this, I'm off to Barbados," after Brendan's patience snapped while teaching her a dance move.

And he told his 2005 partner Fiona Phillips: "You'd make a c**p shag, love," after becoming impatient with her poor rhythm.

But our source insisted: "Brendan was genuinely worried when Jo ran out. Despite his reputation, he and Jo have been getting along extremely well.

"So well, in fact, that he jokes with her that they're going to have to have a row to spice things up."

Your comments

This article has 21 comments

Stick with it Jo, Brendan is brilliant, he turned Lisa Snowden into a beautiful dancer last year, trust him.

By Jill.. Posted September 11 2009 at 12:54 PM.

I think Jo joined to regain some self-esteem after being dumped by Ronnie. I wish her the very best, as she must have had a tough time of it after seeing her hubby out with his new girlfriend. So she may not dance the best but it's a chance for her to get out and entertain us. And if we don't like what we see - switch the channel!

By Jill.. Posted September 10 2009 at 3:45 AM.

We're rooting for you Jo, you can do this. :) And Brendan is just brilliant!

By Boogiebunny.. Posted September 9 2009 at 12:03 AM.

that why i love the show SCD to see how much the celebrity take the pressure... Jo do your best and Brendan is the best dancer oh! sooo lovely that Bren xx

By tina.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:48 PM.

Just having to be within 100 metres of Brendan Cole would make me cry. But she is having a dreadful time and has shown such spirit and dignity - she should be allowed the occasional meltdown.

By Nic.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:22 PM.

we wish you all the best and will be voting for you. Keep in there girl.

By brenda and David karslake.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:52 PM.

Jo, you go girl. I wish you and Brendan all the best on Strictly Come Dancing.

By Shari.. Posted September 6 2009 at 7:48 PM.

its called a challenge!!!!!!!
people are soooooooooooo critical, jo wood is just getting herself together and does not want to sit on her butt all day!!
GO JO...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By lize .. Posted September 6 2009 at 4:34 PM.

Please continue Jo...go for it, show us all how strong (really beautiful) women are. Hold on to Natalie and show them all x

By Heather.. Posted September 6 2009 at 12:16 PM.

This is just another example of a stupid woman who has had everything too easy and thinks that because she was somebody's wife she can do whatever she wants - shut up,m stop moaning and get on with it or get out - just like the rest of us have to do!!

By Mo.. Posted September 6 2009 at 11:17 AM.

at the risk of repeating what everyone else has said. the old bag shouldnt have gone on the show. plenty of people out there who could have done it better

By glynis.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:11 AM.

It seems once you have "won " one of the series, you never get a great partner..after all it just wouldn't be great Tele...we have already started with Stress Factor..if they have all watched previous series they should know what is expecyed of them.......Brendan is a wonderful dancer as are all the other pros..but lets give them partners they can really work with...I loved this show . but what has happened thru last year and Arlenes departure as a judge ...lets be honest Alesha is attractive but she was a contestant" learning "to dance last year .. How on earth can she sit on a panel...as a judge !!!!

By katherine williams.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:09 AM.

Pressure, pressure!! Get a real job, in he real world then talk about pressure.

I'm sure with judges like ms dixon she will not recieve any real comments except that was a good effort. I won't be watching which is a shame as i loved the program. If it aint brook why try and fix it- by removing a professional dance/cheograph judge with a poor singer?????????????? Confused.com

By millie.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:53 AM.

Why do they have these has-beens on the show, they just cannot cope with the pressure of work.

By Jonathan.. Posted September 6 2009 at 9:35 AM.

Natalie Cassidy looks closer to 53 than Jo Wood.

By peter doff.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:27 AM.

Poor Brendan.

By jon ward.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:48 AM.

and there's Natalie Cassidy on hand immediately to make sure she gets her pic in the papers AGAIN, I've never known anyone so desperate to get publicity....

By nick.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:46 AM.

Soooooooooooooooo funny. Celebs under pressure.

She shouldn't have gone on the show if she can't take pressure!

Soooooooooooo funny!

By Jeanette.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:20 AM.

It's not till you are 'in' something you totally know what you have taken on. Other factors also are probably on her mind. Mind you , she hardly needs the money, so she obviously wants her minute of fame!

By Shaz.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:10 AM.

"Shouldnt have joined if she couldnt take the pressure. "

Very profound.

By Jim.. Posted September 6 2009 at 8:08 AM.

Shouldnt have joined if she couldnt take the pressure.

By Penelope.. Posted September 6 2009 at 7:30 AM.

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