Anton Du Beke has said he will be a “kinder judge” for the Strictly Come Dancing 2021.
The long-running professional dancer on the BBC One show was confirmed to be replacing judge Bruno Tonioli for the upcoming series.
He will join head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood and Motsi Mabuse to deliver verdicts on the celebrity dancers.
Now appearing on The One Show on BBC One for Thursday’s show, Anton revealed what it was like to receive the good news.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am,” Anton told hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating.
He went on: “It’s so wonderful. I can’t tell you how it feels to be asked to do it. I love the show… as everybody knows…I absolutely love the show.”
Meanwhile, reigning professional dancer Oti Mabuse wrote on Instagram : He made it! JUDGE @mrantondubeke [red heart emojis] super proud of you Anton and so happy!
“Feels like positivity is in the air – everyone gets what they’ve wanted and hoped for for years and it’s a beautiful sight to see with the @bbcstrictly first @jmanrara now @mrantondubeke nothing but joy and pride for both of you”
She concluded: “we will miss you Anton in rehearsals- you were my first ever strictly professional partner [bicep flex emoji, prayer emoji, red heart emoji] but it will be better to see you doing what you love #strictly “.
*Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.