He has been announced as Bruno Toniolo’s replacement on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for the next series of the BBC ballroom show.
And Anton Du Beke is in for a hefty pay rise when the show returns this year, with his new salary reported to be ‘between £175,000 and £200,000’.
According to The Sun, Anton, 54, earned ‘around £65,000 as a pro dancer’, meaning the star has trebled his earnings, with a source telling the paper: ‘He will be paid handsomely.’
Pay rise: New judge Anton Du Beke, 54, is in for a hefty pay rise when Strictly returns this year, with his new salary reported to be ‘between £175,000 and £200,000’
They added: ‘[Anton] and many of the other dancers felt that they were underpaid but now he can’t complain.’
However, doting father Anton – who unsuccessfully auditioned to be a judge after Len Goodman left the show in 2017 – won’t be raking in as much as his predecessor, with the source continuing: ‘He won’t earn as much as Bruno due to experience.’
MailOnline has reached out to representatives for both Anton and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
The paper also explained that Bruno, 65, is ‘normally paid £250,000 for a full series’ but pandemic travel restrictions meant that the Italian dancer had his salary halved, as he could only appear on Strictly via videolink from the US, where he is on Dancing With The Stars’ judging panel.
All down to experience: Anton won’t be raking in as much as his predecessor, Bruno Tonioli (far right), with the source continuing: ‘He won’t earn as much as Bruno due to experience’
On Friday, Anton shared his delight at being named as the show’s new judge, after Bruno was forced to pull out due to travel restrictions caused by Covid-19.
Speaking about his new appointment on BBC Breakfast, Anton said: ‘Everybody knows how much I love the show, so just being involved is an enormous thrill every year.’
Appearing via video link from his Buckinghamshire home, Anton continued: ‘To be asked to come in and judge for this year, I’m so delighted, I can’t even begin to tell you. It hasn’t sunk in yet, really.’
‘I can’t wait to get started, get on the panel and sit with the other three judges and watch the show unfold in front of me.
‘I’ll have that feeling of, I know exactly what you meant to do, and I know exactly how that has gone for you.’
Elated: Happy days: Anton shared his delight as being named as the show’s new judge, after Bruno was forced to pull out due to travel restrictions caused by Covid-19
Standing in! The pro will replace Bruno, 65, who will not be able to take part in the 19th series due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding travel restrictions caused by COVID-19 (Bruno, pictured in 2019)
A day earlier Anton, who will join returning judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood, said on Thursday: ‘My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly.
‘It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.’
The announcement was made via the official BBC Strictly account, as dazzling portraits of the judges were shared alongside the words: ‘It’s the judges!…
‘Please welcome back to Strictly, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse AND Anton Du Beke, who’ll be stepping into Bruno Tonioli’s shoes for 2021!’
Bruno – who has been a Strictly judge since 2004 – is ‘gutted’ about missing this year’s show, but he is ‘so excited’ to see Anton on the programme.
He added: ‘Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year there is one person and one person only that could take my place – it’s just a shame they weren’t available … ha ha.
‘Darlings, I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Seriously though, I have to tell you, Anton is Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way and I am so excited to see him waggle his paddle.’
Anton will bring a lot of experience to the panel after he joined Strictly during its first series, and he is the only pro dancer to have danced in every series to date.
While he has performed in all 18 series, Anton has sadly never walked away victorious.
The highest place he has scored was coming in second with Emma Barton in 2019.
Big fan! Anton’s appearance as judge last year won rave reviews as he stood in for Bruno and Motsi