Craig Revel-Horwood has given his seal of approval for Anton Du Beke to join the Strictly Come Dancing panel - because it was “time to hang up his dance shoes”.
It was announced earlier today that Anton, who has been on the BBC competition for 17 years, will be taking over from Bruno Tonioli as a judge for this year’s series.
He joins Craig, Shirley Ballas, and Motsi Mabuse on the panel for the 2021 season.
Speaking on This Morning, Craig said he was “delighted” to see his long-time co-star step up into a new role after all these years.
However, he admitted to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that he “didn’t know it was coming” after long talks with Bruno earlier this year.
“We've just been filming a road trip together, and we were talking about whether he is going to be able to fly backwards and forwards [from his LA home],” Craig said. “And of course he can't. It's just too risky I think at the moment.
“So delighted when Anton got the job, I was over the moon. In fact I spoke to him on the way to the studio here today and he's super excited, as we all are.
“And isn't it about time, darling? I mean there is a point in your life where you have to give up the dance shoes and hang them up at some stage. So he deserves it, and he's great.”
When Holly said that Anton “knows the show inside out”, Craig continued: “Well of course! He’s original.”
“There was a lot of juggling with Strictly last year, and really it's, I think, the best sort of possible solution,” he said.
However, he remained unsure about Bruno’s future on the show, or what this means for Anton going forward beyond 2021.
“You know, Bruno's not ‘out’ out in that way, he may come back next year, who knows?” he said. “But I'm so delighted to welcome Anton onto the panel.”
Bruno has also been a mainstay face on the BBC dance show since the show’s inception in 2004, and became famed for his flamboyant hand gestures and descriptions of each routine.
However, he hit a snag last year during the coronavirus pandemic, when it became impossible for him to make his usual weekly travel trips to and from Los Angeles - where he films US counterpart Dancing With The Stars at the same time Strictly is on.
Consequently, the panel was cut down to just three judges, with Anton stepping in for the first time to replace Motsi Mabuse when she was forced to fly home to Germany after a break-in at her dance studio.
Quarantine rules at the time meant that she missed two shows, which Anton appeared in her place.
Despite initial hesitations, Anton proved to be a hit with viewers in the new role, and he’s made no secret of the fact that he wants to become a permanent fixture on the desk.
On Monday’s episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch, Anton kept tight-lipped about his future on the show but jokingly yelled to the camera: “Let me judge!”
Seems like Strictly bosses were listening.
Strictly returns later this year on BBC One.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
