BBC presenter Gabby Logan has playfully taken a swipe at former Strictly Come Dancing professional turned judge, Anton Du Beke, during a candid podcast reflection on her time on the show.
A Playful Podcast Exchange
Appearing alongside her husband, former rugby star Kenny Logan, on the Stick to Rugby podcast, the pair were asked about their shared experience on the BBC dance competition in 2007. When questioned about who performed better, Kenny quickly retorted, "Look at the history books."
Gabby, who was partnered with professional dancer James Jordan, was the fourth celebrity eliminated that series. Kenny, who danced with Ola Jordan, secured a fifth-place finish. "Kenny went on a journey," Gabby remarked, prompting Kenny to jest, "'I got voted out after week two', that was her journey."
In response, Gabby delivered her cheeky dig at Anton Du Beke, quipping, "Put it this way, if he could've danced with Anton Du Beke he would've been that person." This was a light-hearted reference to Du Beke's 16-year stint as a competitor, where he often had limited success with celebrity partners—a fact he frequently jokes about himself.
Reflecting on the 'Strictly Curse' and Competition
The conversation also touched on the infamous 'Strictly curse', a term used when relationships break down during or after the show. Gabby addressed this topic in detail during a 2023 episode of her own podcast, The Mid.Point, which featured Anton Du Beke as a guest.
She admitted finding it "weird" to be in such close proximity to a man other than her husband but dismissed the idea of a curse. "I think if you go on Strictly and you want romance, you might find some," she shared. "If you go on Strictly and you're in a good relationship and you don't want romance, you're not going to get any. There's no curse."
In her 2022 memoir, The First Half, Gabby revealed the emotional impact of her early exit, confessing she was reduced to tears when judges saved Penny Lancaster over her. She told The Times that the experience was a harsh lesson, feeling her competitive nature—an asset in her sports broadcasting career—was not valued in the same way on the show in 2007.
A Shift in Perception
Logan reflected on how perceptions of competitive women changed in the years following her Strictly appearance. "I actually reckon there was a societal shift between that show in 2007 and 2012," she said. "At the 2012 Olympics we started to appreciate tough, competitive women. We made heroes of them. But in 2007 I wasn't playing the game expected of a woman."
The playful banter between Gabby and Kenny Logan, coupled with her insightful reflections, offers a fresh look back at a memorable chapter in Strictly Come Dancing's history and the enduring personalities it features.
