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Anton du Beke on why doesn't mind getting 'terrible' marks on Strictly

Photo credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

Anton Du Beke isn't pre-occupied with getting perfect 10s on Strictly Come Dancing - mainly because he can "get away with murder!"

This year on the show, Anton's been paired with former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and scored 13 out of 30 in last week's first live show - the bottom of the table.

But it's all part of the fun according to Anton, who was speaking to Netmums for the latest episode of their Sweat, Snot & Tears podcast.

"You either want somebody who's going to be terrific and then you can just dance, or you want the polar opposite - somebody who is going to be terrible and then you can have a bit of fun," he explained.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

"If you're going to get a two off Craig Revel Horwood, you might as well get one and get away with murder. You can get away with murder when you know you're going to get terrible marks. You can do the most outrageous things!"

Anton, who's previous dance partners include Ann Widdecombe, Nancy Dell'Olio and Susannah Constantine, admitted, "I've done some outrageous things with my partners. You try and teach them... some people go, 'I wish you'd taken it more seriously with these people because they actually might be quite good' - that invariably comes from people who haven't been in the studio.

Photo credit: Ferdaus Shamim - Getty Images
Photo credit: Ferdaus Shamim - Getty Images

"So I say to them, 'We can do a serious number if you fancy, or do you fancy a bit of fun with this?' Have them flying in on top of a car, looking like Cruella de Vil as I did with Judy Murray. You just go right, lets throw the kitchen sink at this, we're going to do a number."

Asked by the hosts if it was better when the partner isn't as proficient a dancer, he replied: "Yes, because there are fewer steps. Emma last year, was remarkable, she was a brilliant partner. I loved every second of being with her, but there were so many steps to have to learn. When you've got somebody you can keep off the floor for about 35 seconds, you do fewer steps. It's brilliant."


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