Craig Revel Horwood backs Anton Du Beke for permanent 'Strictly' judging role

Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood has backed Anton Du Beke for a permanent position on the show.

Former show dancer Du Beke stepped in for the last series to cover for usual judge Bruno Tonioli, who was unable to juggle his roles on both Strictly and US version Dancing With The Stars amid COVID travel rules.

Du Beke was a huge hit with viewers, and many have called for him to be given a permanent seat on the panel alongside Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.

Read more: Anton Du Beke addresses reports of unvaccinated dancers on Strictly

Revel Horwood has now weighed in himself, saying he would like Du Beke to be promoted to full-time panellist.

"I am so pleased now that he is a judge, finally," he told The Sun, adding that he was thrilled to see Du Beke off the dancefloor and "where he belongs".

"There are only so many years you can be front-row dancing, then the second row, then the third and fourth. Then the only place left, darling, is a dancer’s sheer death - in the wings," he said.

“I hope he comes back next year," the star went on. "I loved it, absolutely.”

Du Beke was one of the pro dancers on the BBC ballroom show for years but made no secret of the fact that he was eyeing a judging slot.

When it was confirmed that he would replace Tonioli for the 2021 series, he said in a statement: “My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly.

Read more: Anton Du Beke says Strictly professionals love that he's now a judge

“It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best… and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.”

Watch: Gordon Ramsay would love to appear on Strictly after daughter Tilly's stint