ANTON Du Beke has been a part of Strictly Come Dancing ever since its launch in 2004, but the professional dancer might be calling it quits.
After making it to the final with Emma Barton this year, the fan-favourite is reportedly planning to leave on a high. We take a look at the new claims…
We don’t know yet but it seems like Anton Du Beke – last remaining original pro dancer – could be toying with the idea of walking away from Strictly Come Dancing.
After taking part in whopping 17 series, Anton enjoyed his best year yet after making it to the final with EastEnders actress Emma Barton and receiving his first ever 10s from the judges.
Now the Daily Star claims Anton has been thrilled to have had such a good year with Emma, 42, and wants to bow out of the show while “on a high”.
A show source reportedly said: “Anton absolutely loves being part of Strictly, but he’s been thinking about moving on for a while now. Earlier this year he had a chat with the show’s executive producers and explained how he was feeling.”
Anton has had a number of infamous partnerships over the years with the likes of Ann Widdecombe and Nancy Dell’Olio.
The source added: “Anton doesn’t want to be remembered for those poor scores. He’s told producers he wanted to wait until he had a strong year before bowing out.
“With Emma he’s had just that, so they won’t be surprised if he decides to go.”
All of the Strictly pros sign year-long contracts meaning Anton and his fellow professional dancers have yet to agree to be part of the 2020 series.
Anton Du Beke reportedly threatened to quit the popular BBC show this year after learning that Motsi Mabuse had been appointed as a new judge – a position he had hoped to receive.
Apparently, Anton had been keen to win the new role and became irritated over the fact he’d been overlooked in favour of the South African dancer.
He’d told close friends that he would walk away from his job unless bosses handed him “an enhanced” role on the show this year in a bid to keep him happy.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Anton has gone out of his way to make it known he wanted the job on the judging panel ever since Darcey Bussell left.
“As far as he was concerned, appearing on Strictly for 15 series has been his screen test. So when the news broke that Motsi was the new judge, he was livid. And he claimed he would quit unless the Strictly bosses gave him an ‘enhanced’ position.
“It was a real snub to his pride, especially as this is the second time he’s been overlooked.”
His frustration also comes from the fact that he already did a screen test for show bosses in 2017 as they searched for a replacement for Len Goodman.
It was Shirley Ballas, however, who ended up getting the head judge seat instead.
And in 2018, Anton was booted out of the series in week one.
No -sadly not. Despite his long-running stint on the show, the dancer has not had much chance to win the competition.
He unwittingly became the go-to guy when producers wanted to pair older/less experienced celebrities with a reliable professional.
The closest Anton has ever come to winning the glitterball trophy was with Emma Barton
Anton Du Beke, 53, is a British ballroom dancer and television presenter.
He is best known for his work as a professional dancer on BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing and has been on the show since its 2004 beginnings.
Anton has also appeared on various other TV shows, including The Underdog Show, Step Up to the Plate, Hole in the Wall and Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas.
Before his professional dancing career was launched, Anton had humble beginnings as a salesman; he now lives in Buckinghamshire.
