EntertainmentuktvDonald Trumpuktvreality

Craig Revel Horwood Compares Anton Du Beke To Trump After Strictly Come Dancing Judging Stint

The pro dancer filled in for regular judge Motsi Mabuse, who is currently in self isolation.
Open Image Modal
By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

Craig Revel Horwood has joked that Anton Du Beke will be as hard to remove from the Strictly Come Dancing panel as Donald Trump from the White House. 

The BBC ballroom judge compared the professional dancer to the US president after Anton filled in for regular panellist Motsi Mabuse last weekend.

Motsi has been forced to miss two weeks of Strictly as she is currently self-isolating after an “urgent” trip to Germany. 

However, Craig thinks Anton might have a hard time giving his seat back to Motsi, much like how Trump is yet to concede defeat in the US election.

Open Image Modal
Anton Du Beke made his Strictly judging debut on Saturday
BBC / Guy Levy

Speaking on Thursday’s Lorraine, Craig said of Anton’s judging stint: “It was like a three-year-old coming in, sitting in his podium. He was loving himself sick, it was fantastic to see him sitting on the podium.

“I was absolutely delighted darling that finally he got the chance. Now I think he is going to be a little bit like Trump – difficult to remove.”

Open Image Modal
US president Donald Trump is yet to concede defeat in the election
ASSOCIATED PRESS

It was the first time Anton – who has been a professional on Strictly since its inception in 2004 – had sat on the panel, having previously made no secret of his desire to do so over the years. 

Anton previously made a play for a role on the judging panel in 2017, when he was in the running to replace head judge Len Goodman. However, Shirley Ballas was later announced as Len’s replacement.

Upon his debut on the panel on Saturday, Anton – who had already been eliminated from this year’s competition with partner, former home secretary Jacqui Smith – was met with a thumbs up from fans of the ballroom competition. 

Meanwhile, Craig has also named Bill Bailey as the one to watch in this year’s competition. 

Open Image Modal
Craig Revel Horwood on Lorraine
ITV

“I am secretly actually loving Bill Bailey,” he told Lorraine. “I adore him. He just shocks me.

“Every time I see him dance, I am surprised, amazed and delighted. I never thought for one moment he would be able to do it. He doesn’t look like the type or the type of character… I love him, I would love to see him in the final.”

“I think he is brilliant, the dark horse of the competition,” he added. 

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV, while Strictly Come Dancing continues at 7.15pm on BBC One. 

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip