Anton Du Beke jokes he’s going to get his first tattoo in honour of Strictly

Anton Du Beke has joked he is going to get his first tattoo in honour of Strictly Come Dancing after feeling out of place on the show.

The professional dancer, 55, has been a part of Strictly since it first aired on BBC in 2004 and last year became a judge.

He admitted that since younger, inked male professionals joined the show he had been pushed to the back of group dances and didn’t feel in the spotlight anymore. 

Fresh ink: Anton Du Beke has revealed he is going to get his first tattoo in honour of Strictly Come Dancing after feeling out of place on the show (pictured January 2019)

Speaking to The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, Anton said: ‘It seems as if everybody is tattooed these days. If you’re going to come on Strictly Come Dancing, you have got to have a tattoo.

Professional tattooed males on the show include Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Neil Jones and Graziano Di Prima.

Anton revealed he wanted to be part of the inked group: ‘I am actually going to get a tattoo next year for Strictly  

‘If I end up having to dance with somebody again I am going to tattoo my routine on my chest. I just hope they [dance partners] are not short-sighted. I don’t know about piercings, though…’ 

Out of place: The professional dancer, 55, admitted that since younger, inked male professionals joined the show he had been pushed to the back of group dances

Out of place: The professional dancer, 55, admitted that since younger, inked male professionals joined the show he had been pushed to the back of group dances

Anton stood in for Bruno Tonioli, 66, on last year’s series when the Italian star was unable to travel to the UK from the US last year due to pandemic travel restrictions.

He wasn’t on the list of professionals when the line-up was announced last week, and his new comments have confirmed his position on the judging panel. 

The star sat in on the famous panel last year alongside regular judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.

Replacement: The star stood in for Bruno Tonioli , 66, on last year's series when the Italian star was unable to travel to the UK from the US last year due to pandemic

Replacement: The star stood in for Bruno Tonioli , 66, on last year’s series when the Italian star was unable to travel to the UK from the US last year due to pandemic

Recently, Craig reportedly received a telling off by Strictly bosses after telling an audience that Anton is returning as a judge this year while on his All Balls and Glitter Tour.

Speaking during a show on his All Balls and Glitter UK tour, Craig revealed bosses had told the judges that ballroom dancer Anton would be waltzing back to the judging panel this autumn.

According to The Sun, Craig said: ‘I really love Anton. I think he is fantastic. I think last year he did a great job on Strictly as a judge.

‘And we have just found out he is going to do it again this year.’

Speaking out: Craig Revel Horwood reportedly received a telling off by Strictly Come Dancing bosses after telling an audience that Anton is returning as a judge this year (pictured in 2019)

Speaking out: Craig Revel Horwood reportedly received a telling off by Strictly Come Dancing bosses after telling an audience that Anton is returning as a judge this year (pictured in 2019)

Craig went on to tell the audience that he did miss his co-star Bruno, who had been on the Strictly panel since the show launched in 2004.  

The choreographer said they remain to be ‘great mates’ after working side by side for 16 years together.

He went on to reveal that while he did miss the Italian’s energy – Bruno actually struggled to deal with his dramatic performance.

He said: ‘He always used to come off and say, ”Darling, I am exhausted.”

‘And I used to say, ”Well, you created this character darling.” I will just sit there. My job is easy.’

Craig previously branded Anton a ‘great addition’ to the Strictly judging panel as the pair admitted that they love playing ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop’ on the show.  

Anton joined the BBC show in 2004 as a dancer in its first series but has never lifted the Glitterball Trophy in his 18 years partnered with celebrities.    

The pro revealed that he would ‘love’ to return as a dancer still. 

He added: ‘Yes. I love the show. I’ve been doing it since the beginning and I’m very proud of that. I do it because I love it.’

Happier times: Anton sat in on the famous panel last year alongside regular judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas

Happier times: Anton sat in on the famous panel last year alongside regular judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas

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