Anton Du Beke is the favourite to REPLACE Darcey Bussell

He is being backed by the cast

Anton Du Beke and Darcey Bussell

by Alex Carmichael |
Updated on

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Anton Du Beke is rumoured to replace Dame Darcey Bussell, following her shock departure from the show.

Darcey, who found massive international fame as a prima ballerina, decided to quit Strictly after appearing on the show for seven years. There's already rumours of a whole host of stars lining up to replace her, including dancer Oti Mabuse, and former Strictly star Karen Hardy. There's also rumours of Cheryl appearing as a judge, having already starred as a judge on BBC's The Greatest Dancer earlier this year.

Anton Du Beke
©Anton Du Beke © Getty Images

However, new reports have claimed that the show's very own Anton Du Beke has been a new favourite to replace Darcey, with the ballroom dance legend backed by the show's cast.

51 year-old Anton has been a dancer on the show since it first aired back in 2004, but has famously, and very sadly, never won. Many people are calling for the charming dancer to hang up his dancing shoes and sit on the judges table instead.

Now take a look at Strictly Come Dancing winners:

Gallery

Strictly Come Dancing Winners - slider

Natasha Kaplinsky1 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky

Natasha was our first EVER Strictly winner. The television presenter graced our screens in 2004 alongside her dancing partner Brendan Cole.She won the show dancing the Quickstep (36 points), the Samba (31 points) and the Showdance (35 points).Natasha has since returned to presenting and you can see her on ITV news.

Jill Halfpenny2 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny

Actress Jill won series two with her dancing partner Darren Bennett. She took the crown from Natasha dancing the Foxtrot (34 points) and the Jive (40 points).The actress who has previously starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.

Darren Gough3 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 3 – Darren Gough

In 2005 Darren became the first man to win Strictly.He won the show dancing the Foxtrot (36 points) and the Paso Doble (36 points) alongside his partner Lilia Kopylova.Darren and Lilia also won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.He retired from cricket in 2008 and has since been presenting a radio show on talkSPORT.

Mark Ramprakash4 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Mark Ramprakash

Mark won the BBC show back in 2006.With his professional partner Karen Hardy they won the show dancing the Tango (34 points), the Salsa (40 points) and the Samba (36 points).Mark is now the England cricket team's batting coach.

Alesha Dixon5 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 5 – Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon won series five of the show in 2007.The singer won the BBC show dancing the Waltz (39 points), the Cha Cha Cha (38 points) and the Jive (35 points) alongside her partner Matthew Cutler.Alesha later became a judge on the show during series seven, eight and nine.She has continued making music and if you watch ITV's Britain's Got Talent then you'll see her as a judge on there.

Tom Chambers6 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 6 – Tom Chambers

Back in 2008, viewers saw Tom win the glitterball trophy.Alongside his partner Camilla Dallerup he won the show dancing the Foxtrot (35 points) and the Salsa (38 points).Since winning the show, Tom has continued acting.

Chris Hollins7 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 7 – Chris Hollins

The news presenter won the show in 2009 during the seventh series.Alongside his partner Ola Jordan, Chris won the show dancing the Foxtrot (46 points), the Charleston (50 points), the Lindy Hop (44 points) and the Showdance (46 points).Chris has continued presenting and recently co-presented the TV show, Secret Britain.

Kara Tointon8 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 8 – Kara Tointon

The former EastEnders actress won series eight of Strictly in 2010.Kara won the show dancing the Rumba (39 points), the Showdance (36 points), the Waltz (38 points) and the American Smooth (37 points) with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.After three years of dating her dance partner Artem the pair split. The former EastEnders actress has continued acting and earlier this year after announcing she's engaged, the TV star left everyone wondering whether she's pregnant after she was pictured 'cradling' her belly.

Harry Judd9 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 9 – Harry Judd

The McFly drummer won series ten of the BBC show in 2012 with his partner Aliona Vilani.He danced the Quickstep (40 points), the Showdance (37 points), American Smooth (39 points) and the Tango (40 points) in the final.Harry has since returned to the band McFly and is now a dad to Lola and Kit with his wife Izzy.

Louis Smith10 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 10 – Louis Smith

The Olympic gymnast won the show in 2012.Louis won the show with his partner Flavia Cacace and in the final they danced the Salsa (39 points), the Charleston (39 points) and the Showdance (40 points).Since winning Strictly, Louis has continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.

Abbey Clancy11 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 11 – Abbey Clancy

The Britain's Next Top Model runner up won Strictly in 2013.With her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, she won the show dancing the Waltz (40 points), the Showdance (38 points) and the Quickstep (38 points).Since the show, Abbey has returned to Britain's Next Top Model as the host.

Caroline Flack12 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 12 – Caroline Flack

The former X Factor presenter won Strictly in 2014.In the final along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, she danced the Cha Cha Cha (40 points), the Showdance (40 points) and the Charleston (40 points).After the show Caroline has presented The X Factor (alongside Olly Murs), Text Santa and of course, Love Island before her death in 2020, aged just 40.

Jay McGuiness13 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 13 – Jay McGuiness

Following in the footsteps of McFly's Harry Judge, The Wanted boyband member Jay McGuiness won the BBC show in 2015.With his partner Aliona Vilani, Jay danced the Quickstep (36 points), the Showdance (35 points) and the Paso Doble (39 points).After winning the show he starred in the musical Big and went on to win Celebrity Hunted with his former bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.

Ore Oduba14 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 14 - Ore Oduba

TV presenter Ore Oduba won the glitterball trophy in 2016 alongside his partner Joanne Clifton.During the final the pair danced to American Smooth (39 points) and they scored a whopping 40 points for the Showdance and the Jive.After winning the show, Ore has welcomed his first child into the world with his wife Portia and has continued presenting.

Joe McFadden15 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 15 - Joe McFadden

Actor Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner Kayta Jones won Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.They managed to win the judges and the public over with the Showdance (39 points), Vienesse Waltz (39 points) and Charleston (40 points).Not only did he win Strictly but the 42-year-old actor broke a record and became the oldest ever winner of the show. Go Joe!Strictly 2017 winner has continued actor after getting the glitterball trophy.

Stacey Dooley16 of 16
CREDIT: Shutterstock/BBC

Series 16 - Stacey Dooley

Stacey Dooley won this year's Strictly with her professional dance partner Kevin Clifton.

A source told The Sun: "Anton is a well-loved professional but it's felt by many that his glory years are over." They continue, "He's often placed with the novelty act and has no chance of getting near the Glitter Ball. He isn't a real contender any more."

The source also said, "Loveable Anton is the cast's favourite choice to take over from Darcey as judge."

Dame Darcey took to Twitter with a statement reasoning her decision to leave the show saying, "It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly for the past seven years, working with such a talented team."

We'll just have to wait and see who will step into her ballet shoes!

If you’re a sucker for the Spice Girls and love a bit of One Direction, you need heat Radio in your life. We’re online at heatradio.com. You can still get us on the free app on your Android, iPhone or tablet. Tune in on Freeview channel 716 on the telly or get us on your smart speaker by asking it to "play heat radio."

Download our heat radio app on Android

Download our heat radio app on iOS

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us