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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Jefferies

Arlene Phillips predicts Strictly's Anton Du Beke will be 'huge hit' as judge

Arlene Phillips has backed Anton Du Beke to be a huge hit on the Strictly Come Dancing judges’ panel.

The 78-year-old, a Strictly judge herself for five years, said: “I love it. He was bound to be a judge at some point.”

Professional dancer Anton, 55, who stood in for Motsi Mabuse last year, will replace Bruno Tonioli in the new series.

Tonioli, 65, will be judging the US version of the BBC show and is unable to fly back and forth due to coronavirus.

Arlene added: “I know Bruno stepped aside for the moment and he could well be back, who knows? I think it’s nice seeing Anton there in his chair.”

Arlene Phillips (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Strictly will be almost back to normal this year with all the themed weeks returning but no Blackpool week again due to Covid fears.

There will also be four new professional dancers, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin, to take the number back up to 18.

Arlene believes their arrival will help to freshen things up.

Anton Du Beke is a judge on Strictly (PA)
He is joining the judging panel (BBC)

She said: “Strictly to me is all about the dance and the dancers. To have some new fresh, exciting dancers is quite a buzz.”

Arlene wants see Labour’s Ed Milliband on the show this year.

She said: “It would be nice to have another Ed Balls! I love it when they get politicians on. Maybe Ed [Miliband] could do it this year.”

*Arlene is the choreographer for Grease The Musical which begins its tour tomorrow in Leicester. For information visit www.greasethemusicalontour.com

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