Strictly Come Dancing: Anton Du Beke to replace Bruno Tonioli as full-time judge amid covid causing uncertainty over international travel

He said: "My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno's brogues for the next series of Strictly. 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."

Du Beke joins the returning judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.

Tonioli is based in the US and "will be unable to take part in the series this year", due to the "ongoing uncertainty regarding international travel restrictions caused by Covid-19", the BBC said.

He said: "Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year, there is one person and one person only that could take my place - it's just a shame they weren't available... haha! Darlings I'm kidding, I'm kidding!

"Seriously though, I have to tell you, Anton IS Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him.

Du Beke is the longest-serving professional dancer having been a fixture on the BBC One series since it began.

The BBC said further details regarding the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing would be announced in due course.

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