Anton Du Beke will return to This Morning to front a baking series, this time with his whole family.
The dancer has just finished a two-week Strictly judging stint alongside Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood while Motsi Mabuse was forced into Covid-19 quarantine.
Now ITV bosses have snapped him up for Anton Du Bake At Christmas, in which the dancing pro, wife Hannah and their three-year-old twins George and Henrietta, share favourite festive traditions.
Anton, who originally trained as a baker at the age of 17, has made a handful of appearances on the ITV daytime show revealing his baking skills over the past 12 months.
The three-part special comes as ITV bosses look to make him a regular on This Morning.
Anton, 54, said one of the blessings of leaving Strictly Come Dancing early is that he can spend more time with his family – and on our screens too.
The series will offer a glimpse into the Du Beke family Christmas including a trip to find their tree, a lesson in wreath-making, winter walks with their dogs and of course their family baking traditions.
Their yule ritual recipes will include “stained glass” biscuits, mince puffs and a Christmas trifle.
Anton added: “Being able to bake gives me great joy and being able to do it with the children too is just marvellous.
“It’ll be very festive indeed.
"Christmas time for us is joyous and very traditional, and with two three-and-a-half year olds it’s full of fun and excitement.
“Best thing in the world. As a young baker the mince puffs were far more popular than the pies, and the stained glass biscuits make lovely decorations for a family tree too.”
An ITV source said of the dancer’s This Morning appearances: “Anton was a hit previously on the show and now he is even more in demand after his fabulous stint... on Strictly where he really showed off his presenting style and warmth.
“ITV were determined to snap him up for a longer series.”
- Anton Du Bake at Christmas will air on ITV’s This Morning from December 3 at 10am.
