Strictly Come Dancing ’s Craig Revel Horwood says he wants Anton du Beke back next year as doubt remains over Bruno Tonioli returning to the hit BBC One show.
The 66-year-old Italian TV personality was forced to miss this year’s series due to strict Covid-19 travel restrictions, meaning he was unable to serve as judge on Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles, and Strictly in London.
He also missed the series in 2020, but appeared via videolink to give his opinions on the dances during the pre-recorded Sunday night show.
Bosses at Strictly made the decision to replace him this year with former professional dancer Anton, who has also been on the dancing competition since it began back in 2004, and he’s been a huge hit with viewers and his fellow judges.
During an interview with Best magazine, Craig admitted he would love to see Anton returning as a judge for the next series of Strictly, as he dubbed the 55-year-old ‘a good egg’.
He said Anton was a ‘great addition’ to the judging panel, alongside Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, thanks to his years of experience being paired with celebrities - good and bad - on the dancefloor.
“He’s showing great empathy for the celebs – he’s more lenient than me,” Craig quipped. “And he’s funny. Long may it continue, he’s a good egg, Anton.”
The 56-year-old choreographer also shared the difficulties of working on the Strictly set amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as the perspex screens make it difficult to talk to each other.
“We have to lean forward to chat to each other, but that just adds to the fun,” Craig shared.
Father-of-two Anton said it has been an ‘incredible’ experience serving as a judge, and said he was ‘nicer’ than Craig, who he cheekily dubbed a ‘lamb in wolf’s clothing’.
But he refused to divulge any details about him coming back as a judge - or a professional dancer - on the next series of Strictly.
“The most important thing for me is to be involved in Strictly, because I love the show,” he teased.
Anton stood in as judge for two weeks during the 2020 series, and viewers were impressed with his constructive criticism - and high scores.
Bruno has yet to confirm if he will be returning next year, but in a statement announcing his hiatus from the show this year, he said he was pleased to be replaced by ‘Mr Strictly’ himself.
“Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year... Anton IS Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him,” he said.
The full Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke interview can be read in the latest bumper issue of Best magazine, on sale now.
