Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has revealed one of his co-stars could be leaving the series. The former professional dancer spoke to the crowd on stage in Bath to promote his new memoir Steps In Time.
Anton, who became a judge on the BBC dancing show in 2021, explained that one of his co-stars has shared with him their intentions on leaving the show. The 60-year-old didn't reveal the name, but he said: “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.
Co-star considering stepping away
He added: "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 Mirror reports.
Fans immediately started guessing on who the star could be. There have been reports that judge Shirley Ballas may consider walking away from the UK version of the show if she landed a full time role on US series Dancing With The Stars.
Fans speculate on the star
She was recently a guest judge on the series but insisted in an interview last month she was “100% not leaving Strictly”.
Anton has been part of the series since it began in 2004. On his love for Strictly, Anton 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.
Anton's pride in the show
“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."
Referring to the late great former host Bruce Forsyth, he added: “I loved working with Brucie. He was my hero growing up. Brucie would come out and do his own warm up and I used to stand in the wings and watch him before the show began. I watched him every week for about 15 years. He was a genius.”
Anton was speaking at the Bath Forum to promote his book Steps In Time, his first memoir. The book is described by publishers as a "coming-of-age story” which reflects on Anton’s youth, and his rise as a pro dancer before then joining Strictly and becoming a TV star.
He left school as a teenager with no qualifications and took on a variety of jobs to pay for dance classes. After competing as a pro he then hit the bigtime when he landed a spot on Strictly. Once there he danced with celebrities including Kate Garraway, Ruth Langsford, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray and the late Ann Widdecombe.
