New Strictly judge Anton Du Beke admits he feared ‘dated’ series would be ‘a car crash’
ANTON Du Beke feared Strictly Come Dancing would be a “car crash” when he was first asked to star on the show.
The pro dancer, 55, was approached by the BBC along with his ballroom partner Erin Boag in 2003 after being scouted at the British championships in Blackpool.
But he and Erin were worried the show would be a "mickey take" and leave them a laughing stock.
In a new interview, Anton - who was promoted to the Strictly judging panel last year - admitted they only bit the bullet after deciding they could help "steer" bosses away from a potential disaster.
The ballroom and Latin champ said: “We’re all prone to not being involved in something and then complaining about it.
“I felt it was better for us to be involved, even if it was going to be a car crash, as we thought we could help steer it away from happening.”
Erin, 46, also added to Round & About magazine that she feared Strictly would be a carbon copy of "dated" predecessor Come Dancing, which launched on the Beeb in 1948.
The televised ballroom competition did not feature celebrities and was hosted by the likes of Angela Rippon and the now-late Terry Wogan.
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“That had been off air for 15 years and was very dated,” Erin said in the joint interview.
“Ballroom dancing had moved on massively since then and we were worried they were going to take the mickey out of it.”
Erin eventually spent eight years on Strictly, eventually quitting the BBC show in 2012.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed that Strictly bosses intend to axe Bruno Tonioli and keep Anton as a judge.
Anton was given a judging role last year, as travel restrictions prevented Bruno from travelling to the UK.
The Italian, who has been on the show 16 years, was expected to return after Craig Revel Horwood gave his support by casting him on the live tour.
But BBC sources revealed that bosses have now decided in Anton’s favour — which could place them on a collision course with acid-tongued Craig.
One said: “We have been told Anton’s contract as a judge is going to be renewed. The bosses were really happy with his performance.
“It also hasn’t escaped their notice his salary is considerably lower than Bruno’s.
“Bruno has been an integral part of Strictly for more than a decade, and there is a huge amount of affection for him from those on the show.
“This decision will ruffle some feathers, not least with Craig, who has been a very, very vocal advocate for welcoming Bruno back. But the bosses’ attitude is, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.”
Bruno, who is on Dancing With The Stars in the US, told The Sun on Sunday last year he was “sad and frustrated” not to be on Strictly.
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He poked fun at Anton, 55, saying: “Good for him. He needs the money.”
The BBC and Anton declined to comment.
