Anton du Beke says he was snubbed by Who Do You Think You Are? – after producers mistook him for Rob Brydon.
The Strictly Come Dancing pro thought his dreams of appearing on the BBC genealogy programme were about to come true a few years back.
But he was left to foxtrot off when they took back the offer – and, he says, admitted they’d got the wrong person.
“I have a real interest in history,” says Anton, 54. “I was approached for Who Do You Think You Are? but they mistook me for Rob Brydon.
“When they found out I wasn’t him, they were less interested.”
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It’s not the first time he has been mixed up with the 55-year-old Gavin and Stacey actor.
He tells Talk TV how a fan asking for an autograph made the same mistake – and he ended up playing along with the woman’s case of mistaken identity.
Anton says: “I had to re-sign it with ‘Lots of love, Rob Brydon’.”
But Anton isn’t taking his snub too seriously.
He adds: “This is not the first time someone’s confused us and I doubt it’ll be the last. I do hope WDYTYA come knocking on my door again.”
Anton’s love for history has inspired his writing – including his third book, A Christmas To Remember, which is out now.
He says: “With my mum being Spanish and the war in Europe having started before the Second World War, I have an interest in that period.
“Ballroom was invented and took off between the wars.”
He is now in talks to turn his books into a telly drama.
He reveals: “I’m in conversation with people. That’s exciting. Hopefully it comes off.”
In the meantime, he is busy on Strictly with his celeb partner, former MP Jacqui Smith, who turns 58 this week.
And despite reports every year that the series will be his last, Anton insists he is there to stay.
He says: “I love it more than anything. I’ve never once alluded to not wanting to come back.
“The worst bit is waiting to see if you’re going through or not – that’s the same now as in the first series. If I didn’t feel that, I might have to reconsider. Otherwise, I’m here for a long time to come.”
