Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has opened up about who he thinks could take home the Glitterball trophy this year as the BBC One show narrows down to the final.
The Strictly judge appeared in the Good Morning Britain studio with hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley ahead of the looming final next month.
The former Strictly dance professional was asked which of this year’s celebrities would make it the final, which he labelled a ‘tremendous’ question.
He then joked: “I can’t remember who’s still in it,” before adding: “They’re all amazing. This is the most even series I think we’ve ever had.”
He continued: “Even a couple of weeks ago we were in a situation where you could have picked four from what’s left and it would have been a perfectly good final.
“Tyler went this weekend. I would have been happy to see him in the final.”
Anton then teased what he thought could be the deciding factor for the final few, as he said: “I think it’s going to be very, very much about what dance you’re going to get at what week. That’s going to be the key.”
Richard went on to note his ‘dark horse’ hopeful was Ellie Taylor, who is partnered with Johannes Radebe.
He said: “I did think before she even started that Ellie would be one of the slow burners. She actually just gets better and better each week. She’s very quiet about it.”
Anton appeared on the ITV morning show as he launched Nights On Lottie, a new initiative offering free nights away in 2023 to recognise the valuable work of paid and unpaid carers across the UK.
The hit BBC One show is now in its 20th series and has been delivering its weekly dose of dancing every weekend since its launch in September.
This weekend saw the remaining stars take to the dancefloor in Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom for the first time since 2019, after a two year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.
The return to the seaside town proved to be a special show as singer and radio DJ Fleur East secured the first perfect 40 of the 2022 series alongside partner Vito Coppola as they danced a Couple's Choice to Destiny's Child.
This comes after it was announced Kym Marsh, who is partnered with Graziano Di Prima on the show, will miss this weekend's instalment of the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition after testing positive for Covid-19.
However, the BBC confirmed the pair will remain in the competition and are expected to return the following week.
A Strictly spokesperson said on Tuesday: “Kym Marsh has tested positive for Covid-19.
“As a result, Kym and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week.”
