Yahoo Finance Anton Du Beke finally becomes a 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge - and he's a generous scorer
He’s the only dancer to have taken part in every series of Strictly Come Dancing, and now Anton Du Beke has finally made it to the judges’ table.
Ever since former head judge Len Goodman retired from the BBC One show, fans have clamoured for pro dancer Du Beke to be promoted to the judging panel.
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18 series, more than 120 #Strictly routines, now one judging role... Anton du Beke, this is your moment pic.twitter.com/AehP6Vg5jv
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 14, 2020
But Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell and Motsi Mabuse have all been signed up to critique the couples ahead of him - until tonight.
For once, it was a good thing that Du Beke had crashed out of the contest first with novice dancer Jacqui Smith as it meant he was free to cover for Mabuse, who is self-isolating for two weeks after a trip to Germany.
Host Claudia Winkleman joked that he had joined the line-up “after much persuasion”, but Du Beke promised to be kind to his fellow dancers.
He said: “I will endeavour to be much more generous than these two (Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood) have been to me over the years.”
#strictly Love having Anton as one of the judges, he's a natural and boosts the morale of the dancers so wonderfully! 🥰
— Flix (@flix61484) November 14, 2020
Long before time that Anton du Beke was on the 'Judges Panel' and already the balance is better. Len Goodman sense of fun, humour and charm has been very sorely missed since his departure and Anton provides that again. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
— Mark Vernon (@MVernon_21) November 14, 2020
Strictly was outstanding tonight, everyone brought their A game.... Anton was fab, he needs to be on the judging panel permanently #strictly
— Jennifer LeonieJones (@jleonie_j) November 14, 2020
The ballroom dancer made good on his promise, awarding 10s to Clara Amfo, Bill Bailey, and HRVY in the highest scores of the series so far.
He told HRVY: “You are a dream as a partner. You keep dancing like that, [Janette Manrara] is going to love you forever.”
Commenting on Bailey’s Couple’s Choice routine to Rapper’s Delight, he said: “What I loved about it the most, you didn’t do it with any sense of irony.”
A Rapper's Delight from start to finish 🙌 Bill Bailey and Oti's epic routine is one for the #Strictly history books already.@BillBailey @OtiMabuse pic.twitter.com/xvPrM0HhOM
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 14, 2020
Du Beke was generous in his scoring, giving both Ranvir Singh and Max George eights even though Revel Horwood scored both just five.
He told George: “It’s difficult ignoring Craig but I think it’s worth persevering with as I thought it was marvellous.”
It would have been welcome praise for The Wanted singer George, who had been caught swearing on camera as he celebrated the end of his American Smooth, prompting a show apology.
Saving the best till last. Two 10s and the highest score of the series so far for Clara and Aljaž!@claraamfo @AljazSkorjanec pic.twitter.com/Y9dRYOPzXF
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) November 14, 2020
Mabuse wasn’t the only star missing from the live show - Olympic boxer Nicola Adams is out of the contest after her dance partner Katya Jones tested positive for COVID-19.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman said: “As you may have noticed, we are missing a couple.
“They both feel fine and are self isolating separately.
“We are so sorry your time on the show has come to an end and we send all our love.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Sunday at 7.25pm on BBC One.
