Anton Du Beke hails Strictly special at Buckingham Palace as ‘brilliant’ idea
The flagship BBC series could host its semi or quarter-finals at the palace.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Anton Du Beke has said a potential Strictly Come Dancing special at Buckingham Palace would work “amazingly” after reports of such an event emerged at the weekend.
The former professional dancer and now judge on the BBC One show expressed his excitement at the idea while appearing on Good Morning Britain on Monday.
A live show will reportedly be streamed from the building’s ballroom during either the semi or quarter-finals of the series later this year, according to The Sun.
Speaking about the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, Du Beke said: “They have been great fans of the show over the years.
“I would love to say yes. I don’t know about the show, I hope so. I would like to go and have a dance with someone.”
Du Beke, 55, has previously danced in the palace’s ballroom, which was completed in 1855 during the reign of Queen Victoria and features a musicians’ gallery and an organ.
He said: “They have a beautiful ballroom. I have had the great pleasure of dancing in it.
“If it was a true story, it would be brilliant. It would work amazingly. Just imagine the audience members!”
Du Beke also quipped that he had “heard through the grapevine” that he is Charles and Camilla’s favourite dancer on the show.
He was the programme’s longest-serving professional dancer, having been a fixture on the show since it began in 2004, until joining the judging panel last year to stand in for Bruno Tonioli.
Last month, Tonioli confirmed he had left the show for good after 14 years, with Du Beke becoming a regular fixture on the panel.
In 2017, Camilla featured during the Strictly Christmas special, dancing with judge Craig Revel Horwood and former professional dancer Brendan Cole at Buckingham Palace.
She also made a surprise appearance during the 2020 final, thanking the cast and crew for their work during the pandemic.
The forthcoming series will be the first since the departures of previous winners Aljaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse.
Mabuse, 31, announced in February that she was leaving, while Skorjanec, 32, revealed he was quitting via Instagram on March 28.