Strictly Come Dancing's longest serving professional dancer is to become a judge in the show's new series.
Anton Du Beke will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas on the panel for the upcoming season which kicks off in the autumn, reports the Mirror.
Anton said: "My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly.
"It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.”
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Bruno Tonioli says: "Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year there is one person and one person only that could take my place - it’s just a shame they weren’t available... haha!
"Darlings I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Seriously though, I have to tell you, Anton IS Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way and I am so excited to see him waggle his paddle.”
In a tweet, the BBC said: "Strictly Come Dancing news - there's some cha-cha-changes afoot for this year's judging panel as @TheAntonDuBeke steps into @BrunoTonioli's sparkly shoes for series 19."
Earlier this month, professional dancer Janette Manrara revealed she was going to be hosting Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two when it returns along with the new series in the autumn.
