Anton Du Beke ‘facing shock Strictly Come Dancing exit after dividing opinion’

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If you love Anton
If you love Anton's charm on the long-running BBC programme and want it to continue, the odds might not be in your favour

Strictly Come Dancing may be facing a future without Anton Du Beke, according to bookies.

The former ballroom dancer has been a part of the long-running BBC show since 2004.

Anton Du Beke could have a shock exit from Strictly next year, according to bookies qhiqquiqekiqxdprw
Anton Du Beke could have a shock exit from Strictly next year, according to bookiesCredit: BBC
The star was given a permanent spot on the judging panel in 2021
The star was given a permanent spot on the judging panel in 2021Credit: PA

In 2020, Anton, 57, filled in as a judge on the show after Motsi Mabuse was forced to quarantine after travelling to Germany.

A year later in 2021 he was given a permanent spot on the panel to replace 68-year-old Bruno Tonioli, who decided to primarily focus on the US edition of the show.

But according to Ladbrokes, it seems that Anton's tenure as a judge could be short-lived.

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The bookies have him at high odds of 4/1 to be replaced next year after fans called for change after Saturday night's finale.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes commented: "Bruno's boots were always going to be big ones to fill...

"Anton has divided opinion so far, and the odds suggest this series could well be his last on the judging panel."

Anton has been a long-running and loyal servant of the show as he was among the first ever crop of professional dancers.

After he made his debut on TV at the show's inception, he danced on the programme for 18 years as he was partnered with stars such as Kate Garraway, Anne Widdecombe and Ruth Langsford.

He has since spoken out against allegations of a 'fix' on the popular BBC primetime celebrity dance show.

On the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing, a number of viewers accused the show of asking the judges to ‘fix’ the results giving Angela Rippon higher scores to keep her until the annual trip to the iconic Blackpool Tower ballroom.

In an interview with Jane Garvey on Times Radio, Anton said that he has never been asked to fix the voting.

He said: "We had the opportunity as judges to eliminate. And we chose not to because she was worthy of a place in the dance off to stay in the competition.

"The suggestion is that we care more about who stays and who goes out than we do, we don’t care. Makes no difference to us."

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He added: "What does it make to me? The producers don’t speak to me. They don’t come to me and go, ‘Listen, we wouldn’t mind if you kept such-and-such in.’"

Anton has been a long and loyal servant to the show
Anton has been a long and loyal servant to the showCredit: BBC
He danced on the programme for 18 years alongside a string of celebrity names including Anne Widdecombe (pictured)
He danced on the programme for 18 years alongside a string of celebrity names including Anne Widdecombe (pictured)Credit: BBC
The professional ballroom dancer also denied allegations of a 'fix' on the show
The professional ballroom dancer also denied allegations of a 'fix' on the showCredit: Alamy

Joshua Rom

Strictly Come Dancing, BBC ONE, BBC, Motsi Mabuse, Bruno Tonioli, Anton du Beke

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