This album is a tribute to Brucie. He is my inspiration and my hero

STRICTLY COME DANCING’S ANTON DU BEKE TELLS MARION McMULLEN HOW SIR BRUCE FORSYTH WILL ALWAYS BE HIS SHOWBIZ ROLE MODEL

Were you disappointed your dance partner TV presenter Ruth Langsford did not have to opportunity to appear on Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool show at the weekend?

IT’S just one of those things. It would have been great if she had made it to Blackpool. She was unlucky.

You know right at the beginning of the series I was not that impressed with anyone really and then it came to the first shows and instantly everyone got good. (Laughs) I think they’ve had extra lessons or something, but I don’t know where they got the time.

Ruth would have loved Blackpool and we had an American smooth dance ready to do. It was a big showbusiness number – right up my street really. Anton with Brucie

Did you both escape unhurt from the mass pile-up following your farewell dance on Strictly?

(LAUGHS) It’s the first time it’s happened on Strictly. I was lying on the dancefloor and everyone just ran on and piled on me.

It was magic with little Debbie McGee jumping on the top of the pile. Ruth gets a little claustrophobic though and she had one or two palpitations underneath that pile of people.

You’ve just released your debut album From The Top. How did it all come about?

IT’S something I wanted to do for a number of years and recording the album was enormous fun to do.

It’s songs that you can dance to and I picked all my favourites. The hardest was deciding what not to pick. I had a list as long as my arm. I’m so thrilled with it. I’m like the cat that got the cream.

Did Sir Bruce Forsyth inspire you?

I PERFORMED Me And My Shadow with Bruce a few years ago on Strictly Come Dancing and the whole thing was inspired by doing that number.

It was one of the most favourite things I have done and sort of summed up everything to do with my performing life.

To be able to do that with your hero, to do a song you love, I don’t think it gets any better.

Did you both have a lot in common?

WE both loved the music of people like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire.

We loved all that and this album is a tribute to Brucie. He is my inspiration and my hero.

We played a lot of golf together and he would tell these great stories and jokes. I feel lucky enough to have been able to call him my friend. Such a gentleman. He was the king, he was the absolute king. There will never be anyone else like him.

What is your favourite memory of Bruce?

I DID a tiny show at the Hippodrome in London in the cabaret room and he came down and did a couple of numbers.

I mentioned it to him and said ‘Do you fancy it?’ and he just turned up and did it. Just great memories.

It was the height of showbusiness. He loved an audience. It did not matter if it was two people or 2,000. He just loved performing.

Have you always loved singing?

I’VE been singing almost as long as I’ve been dancing. I’ve sung on Strictly and I do duets, solos and song and dance numbers on my UK tours with Erin Boag.

We’ll be celebrating our 10th year of touring together next year so we are aiming to do something special. We will be doing some favourite music numbers from past shows and new routines as well.

Are there any duets on the album?

THERE are some great duets. I love them. I sing with Hayley Sanderson and Lance Ellington, the Strictly Come Dancing singers, Connie Fisher on City Of Stars and Moondance with the Overtones, who sound amazing.

I sing I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor by the Arctic Monkeys as well. How could I not do it? Everyone laughs when they hear about the song and then they listen to it and it is great.

Did you enjoy the recording process?

POLYDOR really embraced something they do not normally do. In their stable they have the Rolling Stones, Take That, Gary Barlow, Ellie Goulding – all these wonderful artists and I am completely different to all of them.

They brought in all the best people and a 36-piece orchestra and it sounds incredible. (Laughs) Even if you don’t like the singing, the orchestra is remarkable. I spent my 20s and 30s penniless with just a lot of dreams. This album is for everyone who loves swing, who loves romance and who believes dreams come true.

How has Strictly changed your life?

IT’S a great show. People don’t ask for autographs any more though, they all want selfies, which is great.

It’s so quick. Or they say ‘Have a quick word with my mum’ and pass me the phone. I say ‘Hello mum, how are you?’ I have spoken to mums up and down the country.

Have you ever thought about leaving the show?

(LAUGHS) I’m never going. They barely even have to ask me to do another series. Even if they didn’t ask, I would turn up anyway.

You are also now the father of twins as well. How do you manage everything?

I HAVE the most incredible wife. She’s remarkable and looks after everything, including me, thank God.

The twins are a bit on the young side to appreciate Christmas, but I love Christmas and will be decking the halls with boughs of holly. I love a Christmas tree. I’m a disaster in the kitchen, but I’m a wonderful cleaner-upper and a consummate dishwasher stacker. ANTON Du Beke’s debut album From The Top is released on Polydor. ANTON will be performing his From Broadway To Hollywood with fellow Strictly star Erin Boag on January 28 at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.