Anton Du Beke is replacing Bruno Tonioli as a Strictly Come Dancing 2021 judge

Virgin Radio

24 Jun 2021, 12:53

Anton Du Beke has finally hit the glitterball jackpot. The pro dancer will be jiving his way onto the judges' table for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing as a full-time member in place of globe-trotter Bruno Tonioli. The star is unable to take part due to being in limbo over international travel restrictions.

After a two-week stint on the panel in 2020, he's now going to part of the furniture. He told fans: “My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly.

"It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.”

He'll be sat alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas for the new series of the celebrity dancing contest and tweeted: “I’m so excited! Thrilled to be joining these wonderful judges.”

Elsewhere, US-based Bruno will keep busy being a judge on the American series Dancing With The Stars but “will be unable to take part in the series this year” due to the “ongoing uncertainty regarding international travel restrictions caused by Covid-19”, the BBC said.

He said: “Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year, there is one person and one person only that could take my place – it’s just a shame they weren’t available… haha! Darlings I’m kidding, I’m kidding!

“Seriously though, I have to tell you, Anton IS Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way and I am so excited to see him waggle his paddle.”

Let the waggling commence.