'I always want to do it well, whatever I do'

Strictly judge Anton Du Beke on the importance of reputation, his friendship with Giovanni Pernice and why he might write a memoir next

- MARC BAKER

Strictly Come Dancing has had its fair share of scandals this year, but for judge Anton Du Beke, his reputation is everything. The BBC One show has been rocked by allegations of abuse and bullying and, more recently, suffered its lowest viewer ratings over its 20-year history.

But for Anton, who spent 16 years as a professional dancer on the show before joining Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel three years ago, pleasing the viewers is at the heart of everything.

“For me, I always want to do it well, whatever I am doing,” he says. “Everything I have wanted to do is about performing, really. That is all I have ever wanted to do and everything has got to be great. Whatever it is I do, it has to be standalone good. That is massively important to me. Your reputation has to be worked towards and you never don’t work at it as the audience will see through it.”

Such is his love of performing that Anton, 58, has been busy this year, going on tour and taking part in a TV travel show with fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice.

The Italian pro hasn’t returned to Strictly this autumn following an investigation into allegations made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The BBC recently published its findings and issued an apology to Amanda. Her complaints of bullying and verbal harassment were upheld but there were no findings relating to physical aggression. Giovanni responded on Instagram saying he was “happy” that “none of the serious allegations have been upheld”.

Earlier this summer, Giovanni worked with Anton on the travel show, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures, which took them around Europe. Their Together UK stage tour then followed. And Anton has nothing but praise for his co-star, even commending him for becoming more comedic on their tour.