THE FINAL: Anyone could win this year.. but I want Bill to do it for over-40s
Best series yet for show... and 18yr pro veteran
IT LOOKS set to be one of the strongest finals in Strictly history, according to this year’s real winner, Anton Du Beke. After finally stepping up to judging duties following 18 years as a show pro, there’s no denying Anton is this season’s true success story.
However, he still can’t wait to see who the audience decides should lift the Glitterball trophy tonight.
He is thrilled dancer Janette Manrara has made her first final in eight years with HRVY, 21.
But as the elder statesman of the dancers, he’s secretly hoping comic Bill Bailey wins for “the over-40s”.
“It’s one of the strongest finals ever – any one of them could lift the trophy,” said Anton, 54. “But the audience must decide. It’s down to you now.
“Bill hasn’t been in a dance-off yet so he’s going to be a firm favourite. Maisie Smith and HRVY were the favourites from the start and are both marvellous.
“Maisie is a beautiful ballroom dancer and HRVY is a super talent. I’m really delighted for Janette. It’s unbelievable she hasn’t been in the final before.
“Jamie Laing has really committed and fought against all the odds. To get through all the dance-offs and keep raising his level is remarkable.
“But I think it would be great if Bill were to win. It would be a victory for the over-40s.”
There has only ever been one winner over 40 – Scots actor Joe McFadden with Katya Jones in 2017, when he was 42. Bill is 55.
Anton will watch from the audience tonight – or the “cheap seats”, as Craig Revel Horwood teased him. But this has been a big year for the Du Beke Empire.
His virtual dance classes and “Fit at 50” sessions during lockdown were a huge hit, he released his third bestselling novel A Christmas To Remember and – in a move that might have had BBC bosses a little concerned – landed a mini-series on ITV’s This Morning.
It followed Anton, his wife Hannah, 45, and their three-year-old twins George and Henrietta as they shopped, decorated and baked for Christmas.
The biggest surprise of all was his two- week stint as a judge, when Motsi Mabuse was forced to self-isolate.
It came two years after he was tipped to replace Darcey Bussell, whose job went to Motsi; four years after he was tipped to replace Len Goodman, whose seat went to Shirley Ballas; and eight years after he was tipped to replace Alesha Dixon, whose shoes Darcey filled.
So, how did it feel to finally make the jump? Especially after being eliminated first this season with former home secretary Jacqui Smith?
He said: “It made me feel like I was back in the show and I loved it. I was at
home when they called. I told Hannah and she burst into tears. “I thoroughly enjoyed it and did it to the best of my ability. I would have been disappointed with myself if I had messed it up. Craig was disarmingly nice.
“It was like he was coming down with something. And the hardest thing was saying everything in 15 seconds.”
The elephant in the room is what happens now he’s had the taste – and was such a success with Strictly fans.
With nno slots currently open, will he be ablable to go back to being a pro next year – still pursuing his first
Glitterball trophy? Or will his head be turned? ITV show This Morning certainly can’t get enough of former baker Anton and his family.
He said of working for them: “I loved it, because I was doing it with the family. Hannah’s a little bit more nervous but she just wants it to be good for me. And she loves it because the children are having fun.
“If ITV were to give me my own baking show, I’d snap it up.
“But I wouldn’t leave Strictly to do it. Hopefully it wouldn’t be one or the other.” In fact, Anton will never quit, whatever happens, which is not the strongest bargaining position to get a judging spot.
He added: “No one can lure me away from Strictly. I just have to wait and see what they ask me to do next – and I’ ll be happy with whatever they ask.
“I ’ m not going to voluntarily leave. They will start thinking about next year when this series is over. It’s all their decision.”
But what if regular judge
Bruno Tonioli remains stuck in the US for next year’s series and Anton still doesn’t get his place on the panel?
He said: “If they don’t offer it to me, I’ll remain as a dancer, which I’m delighted to do because the only downside of being a judge is that I don’t get to dance.” A Christmas To Remember by Anton Du Beke is out now, published by Zaffre, in hardback, eBook and audio.
The hardest thing was saying it all in 15 seconds ANTON ON HIS TIME IN SHOW’S JUDGING PANEL