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Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has predicted Anton Du Beke will approach his new role on the panel with ‘kindness’.
The 55-year-old professional dancer, who filled in as a judge for a two-week stint during the 2020 series, will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show.
He will take over from Bruno Tonioli, who remains unable to take part due to travel uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
‘I think he will be just fabulous’: Shirley Ballas has given the new Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke her seal of approval in time for the upcoming series (pictured in 2021)
Bruno lives and works in the US as a judge on the American version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.
Shirley suggested Anton would understand the pressures faced by the celebrity contestants after spending 18 series as a professional dance partner on the show.
She told Hello! magazine: ‘I think he will be just fabulous and I’m sure he’ll approach everything with kindness, because he’s been on the other end of that wagging finger.
‘The public really loves him, and he’s worn his heart on his sleeve about wanting to be an adjudicator for so long, so I am really pleased for him.’
Having a blast! Shirley suggested Anton would understand the pressures faced by the celebrity contestants after spending 18 series as a professional dance partner on the show (pictured in 2017)
Busy: Bruno lives and works in the US as a judge on the American version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars (pictured in 2021)
Ballas also praised one of this year’s celebrities, actor Greg Wise, who is dancing in memory of his sister Clare, who died of cancer in 2016.
She said: ‘I think anybody who dances from the heart is always more unique.
‘It’s not always just about footwork, it is about that soul and performing in that honest, giving way, so that’s lovely to watch.’
Ballas spoke to Hello! to support Macmillan Cancer Support’s Coffee Morning fundraiser, urging fans to take part in the initiative on September 24.
Veteran: Shirley suggested Anton would understand the pressures faced by the celebrity contestants after spending 18 series as a professional dance partner on the show (pictured in 2021)
Pals: The 55-year-old professional dancer will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show (pictured in 2019)
‘Nearly 98% of Macmillan funding comes directly from donations,’ she said.
Read the full interview in Hello! magazine, out now
‘I can only urge the public to host a coffee morning, as it will really help us deliver these services to people living with cancer who desperately need it right now and in the future.
‘Every little bit counts; Macmillan is doing everything it can to support people with cancer so I think it’s important that we try to do our part, too.’
The Strictly 2021 pairings won’t be unveiled until next month’s launch show. However the full celebrity line-up is now complete.
Ugo Monye, Tom Fletcher, AJ Odudu, Robert Webb, Judi Love, Adam Peaty, Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ramsay, Greg Wise, Nina Wadia, Sara Davies, Rhys Stephenson, Rose Ayling-Ellis, John Whaite and Dan Walker will all be trying to win the Glitterball trophy.
Strictly Come Dancing will air from September 18 on BBC One.
Read the full interview in Hello! magazine, out now.
Beaming: Ballas also praised one of this year’s celebrities, actor Greg Wise, who is dancing in memory of his sister Clare, who died of cancer in 2016 (pictured in 2019 alongside his wife Emma Thompson)
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
TOM FLETCHER
Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: ‘I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.’
Fun fact: Tom’s McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
ROBERT WEBB
Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: ‘It’s very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.’
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from ’80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: ‘I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation’
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN
Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: ‘I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.’
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY
Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!’
Fun fact: Tilly’s father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA
Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: ‘I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.’
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.
ADAM PEATY
Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: ‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.’
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE
Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: ‘What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU
Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: ‘I think it’s going to be really challenging. I can’t wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.’
Fun Fact: AJ has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE
Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: ‘I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family… I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth’
Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering – the first in 17 years of the show
SARA DAVIES
Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: ‘I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance… Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.’
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons’ Den.
DAN WALKER
Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: ‘I’m enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I’ll be honest I’m not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.’
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE
Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: ‘It’s about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can’t dance, and learning.’
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: ‘I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.’
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE
Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: ‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!’
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.
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