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Anton Du Beke: 'Thought I'd have top billing' Strictly star drops line-up bombshell


Strictly Come Dancing professional Anton Du Beke, 53, shared a video of various celebrities singing along to the England team’s song from Sky Sports Cricket’s official Twitter page.

Th video was released in support of the England team, who are competing in the cricket tournament The Ashes.

Celebrities involved in the video include Love Island star Ovie Soko, Britain’s Got Talent’s Colin Thackery and Martine McCutcheon.

Anton joked he thought he would’ve been a “top billing” for the celebrity sing-a-long because of his music career.

In view of his 226,000 followers, he wrote: “I would have thought I would have had top billing! I’ve got a best selling album you know!”

Anton released his album From The Top on Polydor Records back in 2017, which reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart.

Aside from his singing career, Anton has been a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004.

Anton was heavily rumoured to be replacing judge Dame Darcey Bussell, 50, after she quit the show after seven years.

Last month, Oti Mabuse’s sister Motsi Mabuse, 38, was announced as Darcey’s replacement.

Following this news, a source claimed Anton Du Beke threatened to quit his role as a professional on the show.

A source told The Sun: “He felt if they recruited within the Strictly family, it should be him.

“And despite not doing a screen test for the role, he still really thought he had a chance.”

“So when the news broke that Motsi was the new judge, he was livid. And he claimed he would quit unless the Strictly bosses gave him an ‘enhanced’ position.”

They added: “It was a real snub to his pride, especially as this is the second time he’s been overlooked.”

Despite these claims, Anton has since rejoined his fellow pros in rehearsals ahead of this year’s series.

Elsewhere, following Len Goodman’s departure in 2016, Anton admitted he had a screen test to replace the veteran judge.

He told The Mirror: “I did a screen test last time when Len left and they know that I want to do it this year.”

But unfortunately for Anton, Len was replaced by head judge Shirley Ballas, 58, in 2017.

On potentially being a judge this year, he added: “I don’t know if it will be me but if they asked me I would love to.

“People say they are real fans of mine but we will have to wait and see if they ask me first.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One next month.



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