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Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke's devastating confession about career
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has opened up about how he nearly hung up his dancing shoes before a golden opportunity presented itself on the hit BBC show. Starting his dance journey relatively late, the 58 year old admitted he was a "lunatic" who was "obsessed" with succeeding and proving his worth. He began competing with fellow professional dancer Erin Boag, and after their first encounter in 1997, they went on to clinch the 1998 and 1999 New Zealand Championships. After turning professional three years later, they continued their winning streak. However, Anton confessed he would become "upset" when they didn't win or received negative feedback, sometimes leaving him feeling "depressed". Looking back on a particularly tough time, he said: "I remember we did a competition, a big competition. We did the French Open in Paris and did really badly. I mean, so badly, in this competition and I was really depressed about the whole thing.", as reported by the Mirror, reports Wales Online. (Image:for the NTA's) "We weren't getting on very well. Everything was a struggle. We were penniless, you know, I earned £100 a week and spent £120." Discussing his struggles on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, Anton added: "Everything was horrendous. Danced badly, not doing very well in competitions and that was everything to me." He confessed to going through "an internal crisis" during which he contemplated quitting his career before eventually deciding to continue, saying: "[I remember] thinking to myself, 'I'm going to have to chuck this in because I'm wasting my life'." The father-of-two quickly recognised he had no other calling, so he chose to carry on and invest greater energy into his work, according to Bristol Live. As his celebrity grew, he was presented with the opportunity to become a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, which launched in 2004. Following numerous years twirling across the dance floor with different famous partners, he earned a spot on the judging panel in 2021. Together with judge Craig Revel Horwood, the duo represent the programme's most enduring personalities, sharing judging responsibilities with Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke's 'crisis' 'almost cost him his career'
Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke's 'crisis' 'almost cost him his career' Anton Du Beke, 58, has been on Strictly Come Dancing since it began in 2004, but the professional dancer has admitted he almost quit his career before the show came along Anton is returning for the 2025 series of Strictly (Image: Jeff Spicer/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA) Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has disclosed how he almost quit his dancing career before a pivotal chance emerged on the popular BBC programme. Beginning his dance path comparatively late, the 58-year-old acknowledged he was a "lunatic" who was "obsessed" with triumphing and demonstrating his worth. He started competing alongside fellow professional dancer Erin Boag, and following their meeting in 1997, they proceeded to secure the 1998 and 1999 New Zealand Championships. Upon turning professional three years afterwards, they maintained their winning streak. Nevertheless, Anton acknowledged he would become "upset" when they failed to triumph or received critical comments, occasionally leaving him feeling "depressed". Reflecting on a particularly challenging period, he said: "I remember we did a competition, a big competition. We did the French Open in Paris and did really badly. I mean, so badly, in this competition and I was really depressed about the whole thing.", reports the Mirror. Anton has admitted he almost quit dancing (Image: Dave) "We weren't getting on very well. Everything was a battle. We had not a penny, you know, I earned £100 a week and spent £120." Speaking about his difficulties on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, Anton added: "Everything was horrendous. Danced badly, not doing very well in competitions and that was everything to me." He admitted to experiencing "an internal crisis" during which he considered abandoning his profession before ultimately choosing to persevere, remembering: "[I remember] thinking to myself, 'I'm going to have to chuck this in because I'm wasting my life'." Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton du Beke, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman (Image:for the NTA's) The father-of-two soon realised he had no other passion, so he decided to persist and put in more effort, according to Bristol Live. As his fame increased, he was offered the role of a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, which started in 2004. Article continues below After several years spinning around the dance floor with various celebrity partners, he secured a place on the judging panel in 2021. Alongside judge Craig Revel Horwood, the pair are the longest-serving stars of the show, sharing judging duties with Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.
