Anton Du Beke will reportedly return as a judge for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, set to air later this year.
The dancer, 55, impressed viewers after he stood in for Bruno Tonioli in last year's series, and Craig Revel Horwood, 57, is said to have revealed he has been told by show bosses Anton will be back on the panel.
It comes amid ongoing speculation if Bruno, 66, who was absent from the 2021 show due to Covid travel regulations and filming commitments in America, will be reinstated as a judge.
Craig - who is the only judge to have appeared in every series of the BBC show so far - made the admission at his new stage show All Balls and Glitter, according to The Sun.
He said: "I really love Anton. I think he is fantastic. I think last year he did a great job on Strictly as a judge. And we have just found out he is going to do it again this year."
The choreographer reportedly admitted he misses Bruno's "energy" on the panel.
Craig and Bruno are said to have become "great mates" over the years though, having worked alongside each other on the judging panel since the show debuted back in 2004.
The Sun however reports Craig has said his former co-star had begun to find it "exhausting" having a TV persona, teasing it was Bruno's fault for creating "this character."
Anton was his replacement last year, joining Craig, Motsi Mabuse, 40, and Shirley Ballas, 61, on the panel - whilst Bruno remained a judge on Dancing with the Stars in the US.
And there was another new judge on the show last year, with singer Cynthia Erivo, 35, a guest judge on two occasions when Craig and Motsi tested positive for Covid.
The Mirror approached reps of Bruno Tonioli and Anto Du Beke as well as the BBC for comment.
It comes as Strictly 's head judge Shirley pleaded with BBC bosses to keep Anton on the panel.
Shirley is desperate to have Anton stay on and is determined to make a five-judge panel work, with herself, Bruno, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, when the show returns in the autumn.
She said: "I hope Anton stays, but we could have five seats. I just did the tour with Bruno and he was on point and on form.
“There is nobody like Bruno. He is a force to be reckoned with.”
And following the release of the professional line-up for this years series, fans are delighted.
Nadiya Bychkova, Katya Jones and 2021 series winner Giovanni Pernice are all returning to the hit ballroom show later this year.
Following the departures of Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec - who both recently revealed they were quitting the programme - Strictly bosses have not yet added any new professionals to the lineup.
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