Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke fumes as ‘biased’ BBC hand newcomer Shirley Ballas head judge role
STRICTLY star Anton du Beke believes he is a victim of positive discrimination after losing out to newcomer Shirley Ballas over the role of head judge.
The veteran dancer, 50, was a favourite to replace retiring Len Goodman and has told friends he feels the show needed a British male on the panel.
But instead, Shirley was chosen by bosses at the Beeb — which has a four-year “diversity and inclusion strategy” to hire more women both in front of and behind the camera.
A pal said: “Anton would never say anything negative publicly about being overlooked for the role, but he and everyone in his inner circle has been left gutted by the Beeb’s decision.
“He felt the panel needed a British bloke, a straight swap for Len. It’s a risk changing such a successful formula.
“It’s also been said that he’s being looked down on as ‘just a dancer’ when really there’s much more to him than that.”
Show chiefs have wanted a woman to join Darcey Bussell, Italian Bruno Tonioli and Aussie Craig Revel-Horwood on the panel since Len, 73, announced he was going last summer.
The Sun revealed how Shirley had suddenly become the shock favourite for the job after impressing in a screen test last month.
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She outshone show favourites Anton and 41-year-old Brendan Cole and former professional Karen Hardy at the auditions at the Strictly studios in Elstree, Herts.
Shirley won the International Latin American Dance Championship with her first husband Sammy Stopford in 1983.
She divorced second hubby Corky Ballas, 56, in 2007 following his relationship with ex-Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff.
Megan's a dolly bird
MEGAN McKENNA is often heard screeching at ex-boyfriend PETE WICKS on Towie.
But the fiery reality star is set to put her powerful vocal cords to good use, as she launches a solo music career.
And Megan will be documenting her journey to crack the music industry in her very own ITV series.
The new programme, expected to air on ITVBe, will follow Megan as she jets off to Nashville in America – the home of country music – to record an album.
A source said: “Megan has an incredible voice and singing is her greatest love.
“It’s what she spends her downtime doing away from the cameras and to make it her main career is a dream come true.
“She’s been a long-time fan of DOLLY PARTON and loves that kind of country folk music, so it makes sense to go to Nashville to lay down tracks with some of the best in that business to give her the biggest chance of success.”
It’s not the first time Megan has attempted a singing career. She reached the semi-finals of SIMON COWELL’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 with duo Harmony.
She was also later chosen to be a member of JESS WRIGHT’s girlband Lola.
Pete must be dreading a TAYLOR SWIFT-style revenge track.
SOAPBOX
CORONATION STREET’s Nick Tilsley gets nasty tonight as he struggles to cope with Leanne’s relationships with her exes, Steve and Peter.
And as the Battersbys and Platts gather in the Bistro for baby Oliver’s naming ceremony, Nick goes Awol and hits the booze.
David finds him drunk and wallowing in self-pity but Nick still refuses to go to the ceremony – and his jealousy is growing by the minute.
On NEIGHBOURS, Sonya Mitchell is on a downward spiral having hit the bottle after being sober for years.
And she’s left reeling when ex-hubby Toadie tells her he wants custody of their daughter Nell.
Sonya insists she’d never do anything to hurt Nell, but I doubt she’ll be able to prove that to Toadie.
ITV rings Phil for series 2
TELLY favourite PHILLIP SCHOFIELD has been recommissioned to host ITV primetime game show 5 Gold Rings when it returns for a second run next year.
The Sunday night show, which sees two teams answer questions by putting gold rings on to an LED image, has proved a hit with viewers, drawing an audience of nearly five million per episode.
A source said: “The first series was incredibly well received so it was a no-brainer for ITV to do it all over again.
“It’s been one of this year’s biggest game show hits for the channel, after they axed Phillip’s other show You’re Back in the Room.
“It’s a win-win for everyone. Fans love it and Phillip’s had great fun hosting it and is eager to give it another run.”
It is Phillip’s fifth ITV game show in ten years, including Beat The Star and All Star Mr & Mrs. But it will struggle to top The Cube.