Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has told how he would be “delighted” to take Dame Darcey Bussell’s spot on the judging panel.
Darcey quit the BBC programme in April saying she had wanted to pursue “many other commitments in dance after seven truly wonderful years”.
Now Anton has put his name into the hat to replace her after having been on the BBC show since it started.
He said: “I don’t know if it will be me but if they asked me I would love to. People say they are real fans of mine but we will have to wait and see if they ask me first.
“I did a screen test last time when Len left and they know that I want to do it this year.”
He said he was upset when Darcey called time on the show.
“I am massively disappointed that Darcey is leaving,” he said. “Will the show be lacking without Darcey? Well it depends who they get...she won’t like me saying the but she is such a British institution.”
As well as Strictly, Anton is presenting ITV’s This Morning for the first time.
He will be joining Rochelle Humes after impressing doing a bakery segment on the same show.
Speaking in April Darcey said it had been a “complete privilege” to work on the BBC show.
She said: “I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive. I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.
“I know I will miss being part of this unique show and the fact that it celebrates dance is something I am so passionate about. I hope that I may be very lucky to be asked back again one day”.
