Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has suggested that a cast member may be preparing to leave the BBC One show after telling him the programme is “getting a bit much”.
Speaking on stage in Bath while promoting his new memoir, the 60-year-old said he had spoken to somebody on the show who was considering their future. His remarks come during the 2026 series, which began in September and is now approaching its halfway point.
Du Beke reveals conversation with unnamed star
According to the Mirror, Du Beke told the audience: “I spoke to somebody the other day and they were like 'It's getting a bit much'. It's somebody who's been on it not that long, a little while, and I understood that. I thought about it for a while, and I wondered if they will be on it or whether they will decide to step away or carry on.”
The comments could refer to a number of the newer professional dancers or to the new show hosts, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who joined this year and faced backlash after taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Viewing figures have declined this year.
Judge defends show amid viewing figures decline
When asked by The Times whether the flagship show was “in trouble”, Du Beke was quick to defend it. “I never worry about all that,” he said, with the publication claiming he was “looking bored” at the suggestion. He remarked: “I’ve seen it all before. All before.”
He added: “The viewing figures aren’t what they were because [TV is] all different now. The key is the viewer percentage of whoever’s watching the television at that moment. There’s no point saying, ‘We don’t get 12 million viewers like we used to,’ if only five million are watching television anyway.” Pointing out Strictly’s recent 58% share, he noted: “Nobody else is getting more than 30% of the share. Well, maybe Traitors. But still, every year over 50% of the [viewing public] are watching.”
Veteran judge remains committed to the show
Du Beke's comments are not thought to refer to fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, as the pair remain committed to the series, having been on it since it began in 2004. On his love for Strictly, the Mirror reports that Du Beke said: “I was there from Day One. Craig and I, we are the only ones left. I am so proud of that. It is one of my greatest things. I am so proud to have been on the show since the beginning and still loving it as well. I love it as much now as I always have. It is the most brilliant show. I love being a judge. I loved being a professional.”
Du Beke was speaking at the Bath Forum to promote his book Steps In Time: The Moments that Made Me, his first memoir. The book, released on November 5 by Blink Publishing, is described by publishers as a “coming-of-age story” reflecting on his youth and his rise as a professional dancer before joining Strictly and becoming a TV star.
