Strictly legend Anton du Beke ‘deserves to win’ this year’s series after ‘years of duffers & idiots’ as dance partners
IF anyone has taken one for the team at Strictly Come Dancing over the years it’s Anton du Beke. For the majority of his 17 series on the BBC1 show the veteran dancer has been paired with old “duffers” who, in his words: “Usually don’t have their own teeth.’’ But these dodgy dancers are lining […]
IF anyone has taken one for the team at Strictly Come Dancing over the years it’s Anton du Beke.
For the majority of his 17 series on the BBC1 show the veteran dancer has been paired with old “duffers” who, in his words: “Usually don’t have their own teeth.’’
But these dodgy dancers are lining up to support Anton ahead of tonight’s grand final. They believe he deserves to lift the Glitter Ball for the first time due to his loyal service to the rhythmically challenged. His partner is EastEnders actress Emma Barton, 42.
Ann Widdecombe, 72, who he dragged all over the dancefloor in 2010, told The Sun: “Anton deserves to win because he has spent years being partnered with duffers and the reason for that is he’s so good and so patient with idiots. He’s been so gracious.”
She added: “Every year he must think, ‘Oh not again’.”
Ann’s views were backed by Judy Murray, 60, Anton’s partner in 2014 when the pair finished in ninth place.
She said: “He is Mr Strictly and I would love to see him win it. It’s very tough for anyone to win unless their partner is particularly talented.
“He’s had his fair share of his older ladies who are less flexible, but all the dancers who’ve danced with him have had the most fantastic experience.”
His 2016 partner, Ruth Langsford, 59, added: “The man has not been blessed with the most naturally gifted celebrity dance partners in the past, and after suffering the trauma of me falling on top of him, winning the Glitter Ball is the least he deserves.”
Newreader Katie Derham, 49, his most talented partner of recent years, said: “I’m wishing Anton and Emma bucketloads of luck for tonight, they are going to smash it.”
VIEWERS UNDERESTIMATE HOW GOOD HE REALLY IS
Anton’s 2004 partner, presenter Esther Rantzen, 79, said: “I think he can win it, because it’s down to the viewers now.”
You can understand why Anton, 53, would be so chuffed if he was crowned champion with Emma and overcame the bookies’ favourite, former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, 35, and dancer Oti Mabuse, 29, and fellow finalists CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, 26, and dancer Amy Dowden, 28.
Kelvin and Oti have been the series’ highest scorers but as our graphic shows, below, the biggest scores do not always mean they will be champion.
Anton’s highest finish was third in the show’s first series in 2004 when he was partnered with opera star Lesley Garrett, 64.
He has finished fourth twice, with actress Laila Rouass in 2009 and in 2015 with newsreader Katie.
But his Strictly adventure usually ends before Blackpool, meaning he’s nearly always watching from the sidelines when the series gets into crunch time.
Last year, when he and TV presenter Susannah Constantine were knocked out in the first round, Anton was forced to shut down rumours he was considering quitting the show.
But he admitted it was tough going out early, saying: “There’s no bit-part on the show. You’re either in or out. You have to stand there and clap everyone else.”
As well as denying him a chance of winning, MEP Ann feels him being paired with “duffers” means Anton rarely gets the opportunity to show his talents.
She said: “Viewers underestimate how good he really is. They have watched him for donkeys years dealing largely with duffers and therefore not only has he been able to show of the skills of a partner, but he hasn’t really been able to show off his own skills.”
Judy added: “Apart from with Katie, you haven’t felt he’s had the opportunity to go right to the end like some of the others have because they’ve had younger partners or people who have been to stage school and can dance already, which makes it a whole lot easier.”
Ann also believes Anton deserves to be champion after being snubbed as a judge — and not replacing late host Bruce Forsyth. She said: “I desperately wanted him to take former head judge Len Goodman’s role and it didn’t happen. I was surprised. I also thought he’d be a shoo-in for the successor to Brucie.
“He’s taken all those knockbacks for those other jobs and hasn’t complained and just got on with it.”
Emma & Anton’s verdict: 5/2
EASTENDERS actress Emma Barton has told how she injured her bottom during the show – while standing still.
The 42-year-old, Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap, said: “I managed to pull a muscle in my bottom doing social media for the show.
“I was just standing still. It was the right side. I did panic. I strapped it up and put large plasters on it.
“The most challenging part is the stamina. You can’t compare dancing to doing a session in the gym, it’s mental and physical you’ve got to be on top of your game constantly.
“I just want to keep that going after Strictly has ended. I’ll definitely keep it up – after a lie down.”
Partner Anton du Beke has hopes for the Glitterball trophy. He said: “It’s up for grabs. I feel like I can do it every year when we launch, then they give me my partner . . . but this year has been different.
“We have no control this weekend. The judges say what they say and it has no reflection on the result, as it’s all down to the viewers at home.”
Kelvin & Oti’s verdict: 2/5
PRO dancer Oti Mabuse admitted she didn’t know who dance partner Kelvin Fletcher was before the show and she kept calling him “Kevin” by accident.
The South African ballroom queen, 29, was originally partnered with Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, 31, before he had to pull out after injuring his foot recording the launch show.
Speaking about her pairing with former Emmerdale actor Kelvin, 35 – who played Andy Sugden on the ITV soap for 20 years – Oti said: “No-one knew what to expect. I called him Kevin. People knew him as Andy and Strictly gave everybody at home a chance to get to know Kelvin.”
She said the show had helped Kelvin’s confidence grow, saying: “I remember the first day we met he was so shy and quiet.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin said he is looking forward to asking an elderly stranger to dance. He said: “I can’t wait to go to a do and see an old dear and ask her to dance and do some ballroom.
“I’d love to be a real gentleman and ask a grandma to do a waltz.”
Karim & Amy’s verdict: 12/1
CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual has opened up about his struggles with pre-show nerves.
The 26-year-old said: “The nerves have been quite hard to deal with and it doesn’t get easier. When we’ve been walking up the stairs I’ve been shaking like a leaf.
“It’s something I’ve really struggled with. I’m probably one of the most nervous before I dance and I try to hide it.
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“I was never naive enough to believe I wouldn’t be in the dance-off. You’ve got to experience the highs and the lows. I was surprised the first time it happened, but I’m really proud of myself for dealing with it so well.”
Welsh dance partner Amy Dowden, 28, is dreading the series coming to an end. She said: “I can’t think about Sunday morning I get too emotional.”
She is determined not to let any negative comments from the judges get to her, and added: “I say don’t get bitter, get better – it gives you something to work towards.”
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