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Strictly Come Dancing: Anton Du Beke Slams ‘Ludicrous’ Fix Claims - But Admits He’s A ‘Nightmare’

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing has been marred by allegations of the show being fixed, but professional dancer Anton Du Beke is here to tell us all that any such claims are utter “nonsense”.

Outgoing pro Ola Jordan, who leaves the series following tonight’s final, recently hit out at the show for over and under-marking some of the dances depending on who producers wanted to stay in the competition.

And axed contestant Jamelia indicated there was some tricky editing when she was ousted in a dance-off against supposed favourite Peter Andre.

But speaking to Yahoo Celebrity and other press, Anton insisted the BBC One flagship show is one of the “purest” shows on telly.

He said, “The thing about Strictly Come Dancing is it’s such a fabulous show. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced in your life, it’s massive.

“Any mention of ‘fixing’ makes me laugh, that would suggest there’s a lot of organisation going on to fix something … it’s too complex a thing to get involved in that. It’s complete nonsense.

“They have a building next to the BBC called Compliance, who oversee everything. It’s ludicrous in its concept really.”

Anton added: “Strictly is the purest sort of television there is. Everything is the best - the production, the make-up, the props - so we have the best show. There’s no need to get involved in [fixing] it. It makes itself.”

The good-humoured dancer did however ‘confirm’ speculation about his own diva behaviour on the BBC One show.

He joked, “I am a nightmare, giving it all that … I never walk, I get carried to the edge of the floor and get placed [on the dancefloor]. I have my shoes buffed so I just glide.”

Anton, 49, will compete in his first ever Strictly final tonight with BBC Radio 3 presenter Katie Derham after being with the show for over a decade.

He admitted to being jealous of other pros who have made it to the final in the past - while he’s had to look on from the sidelines.

Anton quipped, “I really wanted to know what it felt like to be in the final. I’ve been doing it a long time. Kevin [Clifton]’s been here for five minutes and he’s never not been in the final! It doesn’t half make you grumpy… I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be Kevin Clifton.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s live final airs tonight at 6.35pm on BBC One