'Strictly's' Anton Du Beke wants to play the new James Bond

Anton Du Beke says he’d be up for playing James Bond. The Strictly Come Dancing legend has faced shocking Strictly quitting rumours this week after his celebrity dance partner, Susannah Constantine, was the first eliminated contestant on this year’s series.

While he adamantly denied he’s quitting the show, which he’s been a part of for almost 15 years, he said on Thursday that he would consider playing 007.

Du Beke told heart.co.uk that he’d be interested in playing James Bond in a musical version about the iconic MI6 agent.

“What I might go for next? I know that Daniel Craig was resistant about doing the next Bond movie, I thought maybe we could do some Anton Du Bond in the future.

“They did a musical version of Harry Potter, there could be a musical James Bond. The dancing version of James Bond takes on Spectre with an Argentine Tango – I love that,” Du Beke revealed.

There are no known plans to make James Bond into a musical or indeed to cast the Strictly professional dancer in the franchise.

While Daniel Craig is confirmed for the next James Bond instalment, the consecutive star to play Bond remains unconfirmed. Rumoured possible replacements include Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Richard Madden.

As for Du Beke’s Strictly quitting rumours, he remained tight lipped on the issue while talking to Heart and confirmed that he will return before this series ends.

“I do know that I would be doing the group dances and the Christmas special at the end of the year and Children in Need – there’s plenty to do,” he said.

He also defended the criticism that he’s often paired with dud contestants, and gallantly defended Constantine as one of many ‘fascinating’ ladies he’s been paired with.

“Who always needs to be the best? Who needs that in life?” he said.

Strictly returns Saturday on BBC One.

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Anton Du Beke was speaking to heart.co.uk. Tune into Heart on 96 – 107 FM, on digital radio right across the UK, on mobile via the Heart app and the Global Player.