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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Verity Sulway

Strictly's Anton Du Beke believes partner Emma Barton could dance her way to the final

Strictly Come Dancing 's Anton Du Beke says he thinks his partner Emma Barton could win this year's series.

Anton, 53, does not usually get very far in the show, but this year he is paired with EastEnders actress Emma, 42, and he thinks his luck is changing.

Last year, Anton placed 15th with Susannah Constantine, the previous year he placed 9th with Ruth Langsford, and the year before that he placed 11th with Lesley Joseph.

He and Emma have made it to the sixth week so far, despite claims that the judges were particularly tough on Emma.

Anton has praised Emma's dancing skills (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

Speaking to The Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast Show with Sky, Anton revealed how he felt about Emma and his high hopes with her.

Chris said: "Now, Anton, it's been a while since you made it past the first minutes of Strictly with your partner.

"Never down to you, has to be said.

Anton replied: "Well, this is a very exciting year, isn't it? We're doing steps and everything."

Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke are partnered together in Strictly this year (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

He said that Emma is "really super to spend time with in the studio because she really does love the dancing".

"She's lovely to dance with", he added.

He explained that her dancing skills made things different to his previous dance partners, and he does not have to worry about simplifying routines.

He said: "It's really lovely from my perspective, because I can talk to her like a proper dancer as opposed to sort of a sort of student beginner.

Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke on Strictly (BBC)

"She's doing tremendously well."

Chris asked: "How far do you think you can get, realistically?"

"Honestly, I think she can go all the way", replied Anton.

"I do because I think she's amazing. I think she is tremendous."

Emma has been rehearsing for Strictly in between filming for EastEnders (PA)

Chris asked cheekily: "Can YOU go all the way!?"

Anton joked: "I will take the inhaler and I'll be fine.

"Lie down in the afternoons."

Last week, judge Craig Revel Horwood cruelly told Emma she looked like "a sack of potatoes" during her Paso Doble routine.

Anton thinks him and Emma could win this series (BBC/Guy Levy)

Emma's Eastenders co star Kellie Shirley told Christine Lampard on Lorraine: "I think [the judges] were hard on her this weekend."

She pointed out that Emma was also juggling filming the soap with the gruelling dance rehearsals.

Anton also revealed what his and Emma's Strictly costumes for Halloween night would be.

"We are playing King and Queens", he said.

Anton traditionally does not make it very fall in the show (BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Anton Du Beke and his twins (Instagram)

"She is the Queen of Hearts and I'm the King of Clubs."

Anton also gushed about his two-year-old twins, George and Henrietta.

"It's the most wonderful, brilliant thing", he said.

He added: "If I honestly if I was younger and wealthier I'd have 50, I'd have hundreds of them.

"I love it. I love it!"

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