Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has credited the late Sir Bruce Forsyth as his inspiration while discussing his own career longevity on the hit BBC show.
The dancer, who became a household name as one of Strictly’s professional dancers before joining the judging panel after Bruno Tonioli’s departure, is nearing 60 years old but has dismissed any talk of retiring as the beloved series nears its 20th anniversary.
He expressed gratitude for his enduring role on Strictly, stating: “I’m so honoured and thrilled to still be part of it.”
In a candid chat with Woman’s Weekly, Du Beke made his intentions clear, saying: “I’ll never retire. Brucie was doing his thing right until his 80s; I saw him do a one-man show when he was about 80 years old.”
He lauded Sir Bruce, who co-presented Strictly with Tess Daly until stepping down in 2014 and was then replaced by Claudia Winkleman.
Du Beke, now 58, feels more energised than ever, declaring: “I’m living my best life really. I’m 58 now and I feel great, so bring it on!” reports Birmingham Live.
The ballroom king also takes pride in the fact that Strictly remains a family favourite, noting it’s “literally the only terrestrial thing that my children will watch” compared to the online lure of YouTube and Netflix. Anton and his wife Hannah Summers share two children, George and Henrietta, having overcome their earlier challenges with fertility related to her endometriosis condition.
He recently shared the touching moment he found out his wife Hannah was expecting twins on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum, Happy Baby Podcast, following their journey through IVF. He recounted the doctor’s revelation: “And he goes, ‘Ah; there’s one heartbeat’, and I go, ‘Where?’ And he’s fiddling around and then he goes, ‘Ooh; there’s another heartbeat’, and I was stunned.”
“And I went…I say, it’s a rude word; I apologise and I went, ‘F**k me, babe’.”