Anton Du Beke will reportedly return as a judge on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing later this year.
The dancer, 55, stepped in for Bruno Tonioli in last year’s series, with Craig Revel Horwood being said to have revealed that Anton will be joining the panel as a judge again.
It comes after Bruno was unable to take part in the 2021 series due to Covid travel restrictions and work commitments in the US, leaving Anton to take his place.
Craig, who has appeared in every series of the BBC show so far, made the admission at his new stage show All Balls and Glitter, according toThe 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.
He said: “I miss his energy. But he always used to come off and say, ‘Darling, I am exhausted.’
"And I used to say, ‘Well, you created this character darling.’ I will just sit there. My job is easy."
It comes after Bruno, who is on Dancing With The Stars in the US, told The Sun on Sunday last year he was “sad and frustrated” not to be on Strictly.
He also poked fun at former professional dancer Anton, 55, saying: “Good for him. He needs the money.”
The star added: “If they want me, I’ll be back. But they may say, ‘Anton was great, we don’t need you’.”
A BBC source previously suggested that show bosses had decided in Anton’s favour, claiming that his contract is due to be renewed.
The source toldThe Sun: “We have been told Anton’s contract as a judge is going to be renewed. The bosses were really happy with his performance.
“It also hasn’t escaped their notice his salary is considerably lower than Bruno’s."
Bruno has been an integral part of Strictly for more than a decade, and there is a huge amount of affection for him from those on the show.
“This decision will ruffle some feathers, not least with Craig, who has been a very, very vocal advocate for welcoming Bruno back. But the bosses’ attitude is, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.”
When approached by OK!, a spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment.
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