Strictly’s Anton Du Beke ‘sparks speculation he may quit the show after vowing to leave on a high’

Strictly’s Anton Du Beke ‘hit by claims he may QUIT after vowing to go out on a high… as he fears bosses might axe him from the show’

  • A source close to Anton denied the claims to MailOnline

Strictly Come Dancing pro Anton Du Beke has been hit by claims that he could be set to quit the show.

A source has claimed that the British dancer, 53, met with BBC bosses amid claims he wants to leave the show ‘on a high’ after reaching the final with EastEnders star Emma Barton.

It comes as it’s also been reported that Anton fears he will be axed by Strictly bosses after a staggering 15 years in the professional lineup.

He’s leaving? Strictly Come Dancing pro Anton Du Beke, 53, has sparked speculation that he could be set to quit the show, after it was claimed he wants to leaving ‘on a high’

According to The Daily Star, Anton has met with show bosses after considering the prospect of leaving the show for good after 17 series.

A source said: ‘Earlier this year he had a chat with the show’s executive producers and explained how he was feeling.

‘Anton doesn’t want to be remembered for those poor scores. He’s told producers he wanted to wait until he had a strong year before bowing out. With Emma he’s had just that, so they won’t be surprised if he decides to go.’

Sensational: The British dancer reportedly met with show bosses about the possibility of leaving, after reaching the final with EastEnders actress Emma Barton

Sensational: The British dancer reportedly met with show bosses about the possibility of leaving, after reaching the final with EastEnders actress Emma Barton

However it was also reported by The Mirror that Anton feared being axed by Strictly bosses, with a source saying: ‘Anton will always be part of the Strictly family but there’s a sense this year that it could be his last.’

Speaking ahead of the final Anton also told the publication: ‘Strictly was life-changing for me. I’d been a competitive dancer previously, the show took my life in a completely different ­direction which is incredible.

‘I’m the last original professional dancer. I love it so much and have an enthusiasm for it which hopefully comes across.’

A source close to Anton has denied the claims to MailOnline. Representatives for Strictly Come Dancing have been contacted for comment.

Stellar: Anton reached the Strictly final on Saturday after earning some of his highest scores ever, but missed out on the glitterball trophy

Stellar: Anton reached the Strictly final on Saturday after earning some of his highest scores ever, but missed out on the glitterball trophy

Anton made it to Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing final with Emma for only the second time in his 17 series on the show.

While the dancer was not crowned the series champion, he earned his first ever tens from the judging panel with the actress, and scored a staggering 38 points for his Showdance.

After learning that he was in the final,Anton was full of praise for Emma during Sunday’s results show, saying: ‘I’ll tell you this, you do something like this for a long time and you love every second of it and think this can’t get any better really…

‘And then someone like Emma comes along and it just goes that… there you go it is better than you though. It’s a brilliant thing and it’s all because of Emma.’

Anton has long been known as a fan favourite among Strictly fans, and many openly shared their delight when the pro reached the final.

One posted: ‘So happy to Anton and Emma,’ while another added: ‘ANTON HAS MADE IT TO THE FINAL, Thank you EMMA!!’

A third also tweeted: ‘Buzzing for Anton, he must be thinking Emma’s an angel sent from above.’ 

Stellar: It has also been claimed that the star feared being axed by Strictly bosses after 15 years on the show

Stellar: It has also been claimed that the star feared being axed by Strictly bosses after 15 years on the show