Strictly’s Anton Du Beke gives a thumbs up while leaving It Takes Two filming after replacing Motsi as judge following her ‘urgent trip’ to Germany
- Bosses confirmed Anton’s appointment in a statement posted to social media on Friday, wishing him ‘good luck’ with the new job
- Motsi announced on Thursday she would be absent from the studio for two weeks to self-isolate after travelling to Germany for an ‘urgent trip’
- Anton, 54, has been a professional dancer on Strictly since the show’s first series in 2004, and was eliminated from this series earlier this month
- Fans lobbied for him to land a job on the judging panel last year after Darcey Bussell quit, but bosses opted for Motsi Mabuse
- It’s been a chaotic week for Strictly after Nicola Adams was forced to pull out, following news her pro partner Katya Jones tested positive for COVID-19
It was confirmed on Friday that he will be standing in for Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel.
And, Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke gave a thumbs up as he left It Takes Two filming, hours after the announcement was made.
The professional dancer, 54, flashed a wide smile as he drove off in his car as he prepared to make his debut as a judge on the show this Saturday.
Yes! Strictly star Anton Du Beke, 54, gave a thumbs up as he left It Takes Two filming, on Friday, hours after it was confirmed he will stand in for Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel
For years fans have lobbied for Anton to land a job on the Strictly judging panel, given he is the show’s longest serving professional dancer and has been a part of Strictly since it began 2004.
And the professional dancer delighted beamed with joy as he headed home ahead of his big night on Saturday.
Amy Dowden, her partner JJ Chalmers and Bill Bailey were also spotted leaving It Takes Two and looked exhausted after last minute rehearsals.
Happy chap! The professional dancer flashed a wide smile as he drove off in his car as he prepared to make his debut as a judge on the show this Saturday
Exhausted: Amy Dowden looked weary-eyed as she left the studios
Taking no chances: Bill Bailey donned a face mask as he drove home after rehearsals
The dancers and celebrities were taking no chances as they donned face masks following Katya and Nicola’s shock withdrawal from the competition.
In a statement the show wished Anton ‘good luck,’ after Motsi announced on Thursday she would be isolating for two weeks following an ‘urgent trip’ to Germany.
The statement, posted to Instagram on Friday, said: ‘We are pleased to announced that the King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke is stepping into our judging panel this weekend. Good luck Anton!’
Safety first: Both Amy and JJ Chalmers were taking no risks with Covid as they wore face masks following Katya’s scare
Casual: JJ donned a Marvel T-shirt and shorts as he left the studios
Minutes later Anton re-posted the announcement to his own social media, no doubt excited about the new job after 16 years on the show.
This year he was the first pro to be eliminated alongside former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Fans were quick to flood social media with their jubilant reactions as reports first surfaced that Anton could be joining the show.
Strictly in crisis: Gethin Jones has replaced Rylan Clark-Neal temporarily as host after Rylan came into contact with someone who had coronavirus
Stepping p to the plate: The Welsh presenter gazed down at his phone after presenting the show
Bring it on: Bill donned a flat cap and looked focused ahead of Saturday’s live show
One wrote: ‘ANTON SHOULD FILL IN FOR MOTSI!!! RT if you agree!!’ while another added: ‘(will they let Anton judge this weekend do we reckon?)
A third posted: ‘That would be a great idea,’ while one fan of the show also wrote: ‘Yes!! About time!’
Responding to reports that Anton could be joining the panel, one fan posted: ‘VERY pleased to see Anton replacing Motsi – self isolating – on the judging panel, he’ll be fantastic! Can he replace Bruno permanently, please?’
All wrapped up: Amy looked glamorous in a plush scarf and cosy black coat
Thrilled: In a statement the show wished the dancer, 54, ‘good luck’ as he prepares to make his debut as a judge on the show this Saturday
Absent: Motsi announced on Thursday she will be absent from the judging panel for two weeks after jetting to Germany for an ‘urgent trip’, meaning she has to self-isolate
Moving on: Following her return from London, Motsi shared a throwback to her recent appearance on Graham Norton, with a sweet caption
Grateful: ‘I really don’t look that way right now, but it doesn’t matter!’ wrote Motsi, before thanking her friends for a ‘wonderful evening’ She also thanked fans for their messages
On Friday Anton’s former celebrity partner Ruth Langsford agreed he’d be the perfect choice to stand in for Motsi.
She said on This Morning: ‘He is the perfect solution in my opinion, fantastic judge and teacher, my vote is with Anton!’
Before being announced as Motsi’s stand-in, Anton said he’d love to appear on the Strictly judging panel.
Speaking on the Driven Celebrities podcast he said: ‘In a heartbeat. I wouldn’t hang up the shoes at all, because I love being out in front and performing.
‘I do have a bit of time on my hands now, so I don’t know of a better way to fill it quite frankly. If that opportunity came up, wouldn’t it be nice?
‘I’m forever pert and ready. I’m starched to an inch of my life, ready for the nod.’
Giddy: As reports that Anton could be filling in for Motsi first began to surface on Thursday, fans rushed to social media to share their reaction
Last year it was reported that Anton had threatened to quit the show after missing out on landing a job in the judging panel in favour of South African dancer Motsi.
Sources claimed Anton felt he was a natural fit for the job following Darcey Bussell’s departure last year.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘He felt if they recruited within the Strictly family, it should be him. And despite not doing a screen test for the role, he still really thought he had a chance.’
The source added: ‘So when the news broke that Motsi was the new judge, he was livid. And he claimed he would quit unless the Strictly bosses gave him an ”enhanced” position.
‘It was a real snub to his pride, especially as this is the second time he’s been overlooked.’
Controversial: Last year it was reported that Anton had threatened to quit the show after missing out on landing a job in the judging panel in favour of South African dancer Motsi
On Thursday Motsi announced she would absent from the show for two weeks while she quarantined after returning home from Germany, but would be making a virtual appearance from her home.
According to The Sun, bosses are planning to give Anton his time to shine in the judging seat after 16-years on the show, but the final decision is yet to be made.
The BBC told MailOnline: ‘Motsi will feature virtually in this weekend’s show. Further information on this weekend’s judging panel will be announced in due course.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Anton Du Beke for comment.
Taking a break: On Thursday Motsi announced she would absent from the show for two weeks while she quarantined after returning home from Germany
Motsi took to Instagram on Thursday to tell fans she would not join Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel-Horwood at the studios on Saturday, after having to travel back to Germany for an ‘urgent trip’.
She wrote: ‘Hi Guys- earlier this week I needed to travel to Germany for an urgent reason. I will of course be following the UK Government guidelines and self-isolating for 14 days.
‘I’ll be watching from home and by the power of technology, should be in your living rooms. Watch out though, I’ll be doing my own hair and make-up!’
Images emerged showing Motsi, sister of professional dancer Oti, at Heathrow at 1.30pm on Tuesday, carrying a suitcase and holding a negative coronavirus test.
UK lockdown rules prohibit international travel except in ‘limited circumstances such as for work or for education’.
Legend: For years fans have lobbied for Anton to land a job on the Strictly judging panel, given he is the show’s longest serving professional dancer
Guidelines say ‘people who live outside the UK but work in the UK and travel between their country of residence and the UK at least once a week’ do not have to isolate.
The judge’s announcement comes hours after Katya, 31, was stunned to learn she’s tested positive as she didn’t display any symptoms, and told bosses that she hasn’t been mixing with others as she lives alone and has been training for up to 14 hours a day.
A source close to Nicola told MailOnline: ‘She’s hoping her Strictly dream is not over.
‘There’s lots of hurdles to overcome but if it’s possible she can compete with Katya in the 2021 series, Nicola will want to make it happen.’
It’s over! Motsi’s absence was just the latest in a chaotic week for Strictly after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were forced to pull out of the show, after the pro tested positive for COVID-19
While the Strictly cast have been in social bubbles, they are allowed to continue their daily business as normal, so this news has cast doubt on whether bosses will tighten rules on what couples can do between filming.
On Friday bosses also confirmed that Nicola would not be invited back to compete next series as she would have an ‘unfair advantage’ after weeks of training.
A Strictly representative confirmed to MailOnline that bosses are not launching an investigation into how Katya contracted the virus as there is no way to indicate where she may have caught it.
Tragic: Strictly bosses confirmed Nicola and Katya’s departure in a statement they posted on social media
They added that as the dancer lives alone and has only been leaving her house to train, she hasn’t been socialising with others.
It is understood that a number of crew members have also been forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with Katya. But the rest of the cast are said to be unaffected and the live show will go ahead this Saturday night, the BBC said.
This also means that the Strictly final next month will feature just four couples instead of the planned five.
Shortly after Strictly confirmed news of the couple’s exit, Katya posted on Instagram that her ‘heart is broken’, before paying tribute to her partner.
A Strictly spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline that Katya is asymptomatic and the pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
Nicola and Katya’s pairing made history as it was the first time in the show’s 16-year history a celebrity and professional partner of the same gender would be competing together.
How is Strictly 2020 going ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Strictly Come Dancing has introduced an array of strict measures to ensure the new series can go ahead during the COVID-19 crisis.
Celebrity contestants and their professional partners are tested regularly, with cast and crew told to isolate should they contract the virus.
Bosses have already confirmed any celebrity that tests positive once the series begins will be dropped from the show, with reports saying there are celebrities on stand-by.
The professional dancers have already pre-recorded their group performances after isolating together in a hotel.
It’s also been claimed that celebrities and pros will be axed from the show if they are caught kissing during filming.
Strictly 2020 has also seen the series run shortened to just nine weeks, with 12 celebrities taking part instead of the usual 15.
The show’s annual trip to Blackpool has been cancelled, along with this year’s Halloween and Christmas specials.
Only three judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse – will be in the studio with separate rostrums, after Bruno Tonioli was unable to appear due to travel concerns.
Veteran judge Bruno has said he will be ‘involved remotely’ and hopes to return full-time towards the end of the series as he is filming the US version of the show in Los Angeles.
With limited studio crew, big sets may not be built – so producers will use augmented reality, which adds computer-generated elements.
To ensure the contestants can work closely with their partners, they will ‘bubble up’ to train, along with being tested regularly.
Strictly will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in groups on separate tables, and will only attend if from the same household or bubble.
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