Strictly legend Anton du Beke is getting to grips with some wee problems – and they’re some of his toughest challenges yet.
The much-loved professional has waltzed his way through numerous celeb mishaps and crises during his 16 years on the TVdance show.
Now, in lockdown at home, there are two tasks he cannot sidestep – potty training his twins, aged three. Anton, 53, said: “Toilet training is definitely harder than Strictly.”
So fellow parents will no doubt sympathise when the show stalwart reveals he’s looking forward to the hit show’s return.
Anton, who has been in Strictly since the first series in 2004, said it has been the “greatest gift” and he will not be quitting like dancers Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard.
In fact Anton, runner-up with EastEnders star Emma Barton in September, reckons it’s better than ever.
Speaking to the Sunday People about AJ and Kevin, he said: “I didn’t see it coming and I haven’t spoken to either of them. Will they regret it? It depends.
“Strictly is such a big machine and when you get the opportunity to be involved, it’s like the best gift you’ve ever been given.
"I feel so lucky to have been there from the beginning and I’ve never toyed with the idea of leaving because I absolutely love doing it.”
Strictly is never far from his mind but Anton said his focus is on his family right now.
He loves being cooped up with wife Hannah, 42, and George and Henrietta, aged three, at their Buckinghamshire home, despite the toilet training.
He said: “There are more accidents with toilet training than there are with Strictly, and I am more of an expert on Strictly than I am at nappy training.
“I haven’t managed to get them to quite grasp the concept of saying ‘Daddy, I want to have a wee-wee’ before we have a wee-wee.
"They surprise you every day, with the wonderful things they say and do and I am having the best time.
“I get to play with them every day and read a bed-time story every night.
“I love waking up in the morning knowing I haven’t got to get in the car to go anywhere. Before, I used to spend my time packing up dance gear and going to rehearsals.”
Anton is optimistic that Strictly will be back on screens later this year. But he admits there are question marks over whether the BBC series will go ahead in autumn.
Currently he is writing a book and doing online dance classes, Elevenses with Anton, for people isolating.
He said: “You do worry about not working when you’ve still got a family to provide for. But the upside – if there is an upside – is that we are all healthy and, as Brucie always said, you’ve got to ‘Keep on dancing!’”
- Anton’s book Moonlight Over Mayfair is out now in paperback. Also check out antondubeke.tv
