Strictly Come Dancing fans were left shocked when judge Dame Darcey Bussell announced she would not be retuning to her role on the panel for any future series of the dancing competition.
Following her departure there have been reports regarding the professional dancers reaction to the news.
According to The Sun members of the pro-line-up “expressed relief at Darcey leaving after seven years, saying she was “aloof””.
Express.co.uk has contacted both the BBC and Darcey’s representatives for a comment regarding the claims.
They also reported Anton Du Beke is in the running to replace the Prima Ballerina.
A source told the publication: “Loveable Anton is the cast’s favourite choice to take over from Darcey as judge.
“Some on the show believe it’s time for him to hand up his dancing shoes and sit on the other side of the table.”
The tv insider continued to describe the Ballroom dancer as “a well-oven professional” with some stating “his glory days are over”.
“He’s often placed with the novelty act and has no chance of getting near the Glitter Ball. He isn’t a real contester anymore.”
Anton, who is the only professional in the line-up who has been on the show since its inauguration, initially auditioned to replace Len Goodman the paper suggested.
But Shirley Ballas was offered the job instead. Could this year see him as a judge instead of a dancer?
Despite these claims, there are several current and former dancers who have been tipped to land the role.
Bookmakers Coral have suggested Karen Hardy will take over from Darcey as she is currently the favourite with odds at 2/1.
Strictly fans will remember how Karen previously appeared on the show between 2005 and 2009, as well as being a regular contributor on It Takes Two.
Harry Aitkenhead, a spokesperson for the bookmakers said: “We make Karen Hardy the hot favourite to step into her shoes, at 2/1. Hardy won the show with Mark Ramprakash back in 2006 and could well be the perfect fit to step back onto the show as a judge.”
Others suggested for the job have been Helen Richey at 3/1 as well as Oti Mabuse who previously won The Greatest Dancer with Ellie.
For the males who are being considered, Iain Waite has a 6/1 chance, whereas Brendan Cole is also in the running at 8/1.
Strictly Come Dancing fans will have to wait for the BBC to announce who is going to be taking over from Darcey.
And the series is set to return to the BBC later this year with a brand new celebrity line-up.
Strictly Come Dancing returns this September to BBC One.
