Strictly’s Anton Du Beke says he ‘loved every second’ of being a judge

Strictly’s Anton Du Beke has revealed that he ‘loved every second’ of filling in for Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel.

It comes amid reports that the professional dancer, 54, is hoping to become a permanent judge next year.

Anton is currently standing in for Motsi, 39, as she isolates for 14 days after rushing home to Germany due to her dance school being ‘targeted’   

Delighted! Strictly’s Anton Du Beke has revealed that he ‘loved every second’ of filling in for Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel

Talking on Monday’s This Morning, the dancer revealed that he ‘loved every second’ of being on the judging panel.

He gushed: ‘I loved every second of it. It was lovely to be able to sit there and enjoy the dancing and then comment on all the things I love about it, which was always going to be my steer about it.’

Anton also admitted that producers demanded her give shorter answers during his feedback.

He quipped: ‘Not having much time was the biggest problem. Short and succinct isn’t really my game!’

Permanent? It comes amid reports that the professional dancer, 54, is hoping to become a permanent judge next year

Permanent? It comes amid reports that the professional dancer, 54, is hoping to become a permanent judge next year 

Absence: Anton is currently standing in for Motsi, 39, pictured earlier this month, as she isolates for 14 days after rushing home to Germany due to her dance school being 'targeted'

Absence: Anton is currently standing in for Motsi, 39, pictured earlier this month, as she isolates for 14 days after rushing home to Germany due to her dance school being ‘targeted’

Anton also sweetly revealed that former head judge Len Goodman, 76, who left in 2016, gave him advice before his debut.

He said of Len’s wise words: ”Be yourself and say what you see” and I did exactly that. 

‘I literally remarked on what I saw and what I enjoyed most about the performance. The talky bit was much easier than the moody bit.’

Talking about his future as a judge on the current series, Anton said: ‘I’ve done Saturday night and I’m doing it again next Saturday, and then I’ll go back to sitting in the audience!’

10s, 10s, 10s! Talking on Monday's This Morning, the dancer revealed that he 'loved every second' of being on the judging panel

10s, 10s, 10s! Talking on Monday’s This Morning, the dancer revealed that he ‘loved every second’ of being on the judging panel

Sweet: He gushed: 'I loved every second of it. It was lovely to be able to sit there and enjoy the dancing and then comment on all the things I love about it, which was always going to be my steer about it.'

Funny: Anton also admitted that producers demanded her give shorter answers during his feedback

Sweet: He gushed: ‘I loved every second of it. It was lovely to be able to sit there and enjoy the dancing and then comment on all the things I love about it, which was always going to be my steer about it.’

Anton also admitted that he ‘didn’t enjoy’ seeing the eliminations and he only judge the celebrities as opposed to his professional dancer friends.

He said: ‘I didn’t judge the professionals. I was only looking at the celebrities, and was literally judging them. The elimination was the worst bit. Didn’t enjoy that at all.’

It was a chaotic week for Strictly and as well as Motsi’s isolation, it was revealed by MailOnline that Nicola Adams and Katya Jones had to withdraw from the competition because the professional dancer contracted COVID-19. 

On losing Katya, Anton said: ‘It was a huge shame. Katya had put together some brilliantly inspired routines for them both. They were dancing together wonderfully.’

Pals: Anton also sweetly revealed that former head judge Len Goodman, 76, who left in 2016, gave him advice before his debut (pictured with former judge Darcey Bussell in 2016)

Pals: Anton also sweetly revealed that former head judge Len Goodman, 76, who left in 2016, gave him advice before his debut (pictured with former judge Darcey Bussell in 2016) 

Wise words: He said of Len's wise words: ''Be yourself and say what you see'' and I did exactly that.'

Wise words: He said of Len’s wise words: ”Be yourself and say what you see” and I did exactly that.’ 

Talking about the fear of coronavirus and the show, he added: ‘At the back of everyone’s heads we thought: ”At some point in the series somebody might go down with it.” It’s a shame, it’s a shame.’

After his debut on Saturday night, Strictly fans called for Anton to become a permanent judge on the show, which is a sentiment the ballroom dancer would also reportedly like to happen. 

The Mail On Sunday reported that Anton hopes his role on the panel on Saturday night could lead to a full-time position. 

Friends of Anton say he has been eager ‘for quite some time’ to have a judging role and has been disappointed when outsiders have been brought in. 

It's over! It was a chaotic week for Strictly and as well as Motsi's isolation, it was revealed by MailOnline that Nicola Adams and Katya Jones had to withdraw from the competition because the professional dancer contracted COVID-19  (pictured last month)

It’s over! It was a chaotic week for Strictly and as well as Motsi’s isolation, it was revealed by MailOnline that Nicola Adams and Katya Jones had to withdraw from the competition because the professional dancer contracted COVID-19  (pictured last month)

His chance came after he was the first to be booted off the current series with partner, ex-Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who said she was ‘pleased he was free to get the job’. 

One friend told The Mail on Sunday: ‘This is a dream come true for Anton. For many years now he has fancied the role but has been beaten to it when the likes of Motsi and before that Shirley Ballas were brought in. 

‘He has been a trouper for Strictly, he has been given some less-than-able celebrities to dance with over the years and never complains.’

Anton has been one of the programme’s most popular professional dancers since it began in 2004, and it was clear viewers would love to see him in the judges chair. 

Huge success! After his debut on Saturday night, Strictly fans called for Anton to become a permanent judge on the show, which is a sentiment the ballroom dancer would also reportedly like to happen

Huge success! After his debut on Saturday night, Strictly fans called for Anton to become a permanent judge on the show, which is a sentiment the ballroom dancer would also reportedly like to happen 

It was confirmed by bosses on Friday that Anton would be standing in for Motsi on the judging panel.

In a statement the show wished the dancer ‘good luck’ as he prepared to make his debut as a judge on the show, after Motsi announced on Thursday she would be isolating for two weeks following an ‘urgent trip’ to Germany.

The statement, posted to Instagram on Friday, said: ‘We are pleased to announced that the King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke is stepping into our judging panel this weekend. Good luck Anton!’

Minutes later Anton re-posted the announcement to his own social media, no doubt excited about the new job after 16 years on the show.

For years fans have lobbied for Anton to land a job on the Strictly judging panel, given he is the show’s longest serving professional dancer and has been a part of Strictly since it began in 2004.   

It comes after Strictly judge Motsi revealed she rushed home to Germany after her dance school was ‘targeted’.

The show judge, 39, was pictured wearing a protective mask as she made her way across a Heathrow airport terminal at 1:30pm on Tuesday November 10 clutching a piece of paper, believed to contain her negative COVID test result. 

Explaining what happened on Instagram on Friday, Motsi revealed that she is now working with police to ‘solve the crime’ and will be improving security at her school.

As well as posting a lengthy caption in German, Motsi shared a snap of a broken glass door at her studio.

Full-time? The Mail On Sunday reported that Anton hopes his role on the panel on Saturday night could lead to a full-time position

Full-time? The Mail On Sunday reported that Anton hopes his role on the panel on Saturday night could lead to a full-time position  

She penned: ‘Unfortunately we have no good news. Someone tried to break into our school @motsimabuse_taunustanzschule. 

‘We are working with the police to solve this crime. We know we have been targeted on purpose and we will improve security in our school that this will not happen again.’

A Strictly source confirmed to MailOnline on Thursday that Motsi is now back in the UK following her brief trip to Germany, where she runs the dance school and shares a home with husband Evgenij Voznyuk and their daughter, two.  

Current UK lockdown rules prohibit international travel except in ‘limited circumstances such as for work or for education’. 

Guidelines say ‘people who live outside the UK but work in the UK and travel between their country of residence and the UK at least once a week’ do not have to isolate.   

In accordance with those guidelines Motsi will self isolate for a fortnight, with pro dancer Anton now set to fill in for her on Strictly while she’s at home.

Damage: Motsi shared a snap of a broken glass door to her Instagram on Friday, explaining that she is working with the police after her dance school was 'targeted'

Damage: Motsi shared a snap of a broken glass door to her Instagram on Friday, explaining that she is working with the police after her dance school was ‘targeted’ 

Bad news: Motsi explained that somebody had tried to break into their school and added that she will be improving security at the building

Bad news: Motsi explained that somebody had tried to break into their school and added that she will be improving security at the building

How is Strictly 2020 going ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Strictly Come Dancing has introduced an array of strict measures to ensure the new series can go ahead during the COVID-19 crisis.

Celebrity contestants and their professional partners are tested regularly, with cast and crew told to isolate should they contract the virus.

Bosses have already confirmed any celebrity that tests positive once the series begins will be dropped from the show, with reports saying there are celebrities on stand-by.

The professional dancers have already pre-recorded their group performances after isolating together in a hotel.

It’s also been claimed that celebrities and pros will be axed from the show if they are caught kissing during filming.

Strictly 2020 has also seen the series run shortened to just nine weeks, with 12 celebrities taking part instead of the usual 15.

The show’s annual trip to Blackpool has been cancelled, along with this year’s Halloween and Christmas specials.

Only three judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse – will be in the studio with separate rostrums, after Bruno Tonioli was unable to appear due to travel concerns. 

Veteran judge Bruno has said he will be ‘involved remotely’ and hopes to return full-time towards the end of the series as he is filming the US version of the show in Los Angeles. 

With limited studio crew, big sets may not be built – so producers will use augmented reality, which adds computer-generated elements.

To ensure the contestants can work closely with their partners, they will ‘bubble up’ to train, along with being tested regularly. 

Strictly will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in groups on separate tables, and will only attend if from the same household or bubble.