Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has admitted that he misses dancing on the show.
Du Beke, who has had 18 partners over the years on Strictly, is filling in for Bruno Tonioli on BBC's flagship Saturday night show this year, with the Italian judge unable to film the show due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
However, in an appearance on Channel 4's show Steph's Packed Lunch, he admitted he is missing his former role and that being with the Strictly group was the "happiest place to be," reports Birmingham Live.
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He told host Steph McGovern: "I miss being part of the group as it's the most wonderful environment to be in with all these fabulous dancers and people.
"They're the most brilliant people in the world really and it's sort of the happiest place to be, and the most wonderful place to be."
Anton is still enjoying his role as a judge, but Bruno Tonioli is expected to return for next year's series - potentially opening the door for the fan favourite to finally win his first Glitterball trophy.
However, showbiz sources have previously spoken about how difficult it would be for Du Beke to make the transition back to dancing.
A source said: "Anton is loving his stint as a judge and producers are delighted with the job he’s been doing standing in for Bruno. That said Bruno is a one-off and everybody expects to see him back. Producers will then have a tough choice to make.
"If in a year’s time Bruno comes back and Anton is invited to return as a dancer he would do it but it would definitely feel a bit weird for him".
The source added: "Once you’ve been a judge and decided who stays and goes it is very tricky to make that step back into the competition and take part against all the other dancers. Anton’s a professional so would make the best of the situation but it wouldn’t be an easy transition".
