Who is Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke?
STRICTLY Come Dancing just wouldn't be the same without Anton Du Beke.
But away from the hit BBC One show, the popular star has lived an incredible life.
Who is Anton Du Beke?
Anton Du Beke is a British ballroom dancer and television star born on July 20, 1966, to Spanish mum Ascensión and Hungarian dad Antal.
He changed his name from Anthony Paul Beke because he "wanted a new start".
He is best known for his work as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing and has been on the show since its inception in 2004.
Before his ballroom career was launched, Anton had humble beginnings as a salesman.
He now lives in Buckinghamshire in a huge country home and has a net worth of £8million.
When was Anton announced as a Strictly judge?
On June 24, 2021, it was revealed Anton had replaced Bruno Tonioli as one of the judges on Strictly.
He completes the panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.
Anton joined Strictly during its first series and, before becoming a judge, was the only professional dancer to have danced in every series.
Announcing he's swapping the dance floor for a seat at the judges' table, Anton said at the time it was a "dream come true".
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Is Anton Du Beke married?
Anton is married to his wife Hannah Summer.
The pair started dating in 2009 after meeting at a golf club.
Hannah was the head of the telecommunications firm Adaptive Mobile Security Ltd at the time.
In 2016, Anton hinted he was ready to tie the knot with her, and said: “She’s just perfect. I love her above all things. Will we marry? Maybe next year. We’re very happy.”
But he surprised fans everywhere by secretly getting hitched to his long-term love in 2017.
The couple sparked rumours they’d tied the knot after Hannah, wore an engagement ring and wedding band during the first day of Chelsea Flower Show in 2017
The Strictly stalwart’s spokesman later confirmed they had indeed got married on the quiet following the birth of their twins.
When were Anton Du Beke's twins born?
Hannah and Anton became parents to a boy and a girl, named George and Henrietta, on March 30, 2017.
The pair were expecting the babies to arrive on April 4, 2017, but despite arriving nearly a week early, he assured fans at the time that the twins and the new mum were all fine.
Anton announced the arrivals with a cute Instagram post of a top hat and cane framing two pairs of baby dancing shoes - one with blue bows and one with pink.
What other TV shows has Anton been on?
Strictly Come Dancing isn't the only show that Anton has been on, with the popular star being a familiar face on the box.
Before finding fame on Strictly, Anton appeared on various other TV shows, including The Underdog Show, Step Up To The Plate, Hole In The Wall and Victoria Wood's Midlife Christmas.
He also teamed up with fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice for their show, Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily.
In August 2023, Anton revealed all about his troubled early life and rise to fame in Kate Garraway's Life Stories.