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Anton Du Beke

50 replies

shadypines · 15/10/2023 11:20

I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw Anton on the judging panel. I thought he was, in the main, thoughtful, interesting, insightful and he cared about the contestants. I was interested in what he had to say.
But oh my lord what is happening? Lately it's like he's being taken over by the spirit of Len and Bruno. Shouting, one words sentences or grunts, waving his arms about and rather than speaking normally like the others. It's really hard to listen to. Also needs to pipe down on the 'I did that with Anne Widdicombe once' , it was amusing the first few times but not ad infinitum.
Can we have the old Anton back please?

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shadypines · 15/10/2023 11:22

I realise Bruno is still with us, it's just a figure of speech!

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GreatShaker · 15/10/2023 11:27

Interesting to notice how many times Anton talks about himself in his comments. It’s all the time. I think he’s an egomaniac.

YouNeverCanTellWithBees · 15/10/2023 11:30

Yeah he is trying too hard to be Len

EfficientlyDecluttering · 15/10/2023 11:30

I think the talking about himself is somewhat inevitable as he was a pro on the show for so long and until so recently. I think on the whole he is an excellent addition to the judges table, empathetic, great constructive criticism etc but occasionally he loses it a bit (like last night, which was really cringey). I'd still far rather have him than Bruno.

Clawdy · 15/10/2023 11:49

I really like Anton but he was completely over-the-top last night, and very annoying.

Samcro · 15/10/2023 11:57

funny i said the same to dh, he seems to have morphed into Len/bruno

SorryWorry · 15/10/2023 11:59

I much prefer Anton to Bruno. At points last night he was a bit OTT but seemed to tone it down for the last few dances.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 15/10/2023 12:01

We turned off last night as, in the immortal words of dh “fucking hell, that man is a knob”

80sMum · 15/10/2023 12:03

Maybe he's being directed to be a bit OTT? It's an entertainment programme. Perhaps he was deemed to be insufficiently "entertaining" in his original persona. The entire programme is decidedly "fake" after all.

JudesBiggestFan · 15/10/2023 12:11

My friend met Anton Du Beke while they were both out for a meal with their respective families. She said he was constantly bothered for photos (including by her) and yet was charm personified throughout - smiling and chatting with everyone. He was a bit much last night but I'm minded to think they are all given personas ...Craig - strict and unsmiling, motsi - quirky, Shirley - school marmish and obsessed with technique , Anton- fun and crazy. I doubt he's really like that but is just being given a role to play in an entertainment show.

WeightoftheWorld · 15/10/2023 12:51

JudesBiggestFan · 15/10/2023 12:11

My friend met Anton Du Beke while they were both out for a meal with their respective families. She said he was constantly bothered for photos (including by her) and yet was charm personified throughout - smiling and chatting with everyone. He was a bit much last night but I'm minded to think they are all given personas ...Craig - strict and unsmiling, motsi - quirky, Shirley - school marmish and obsessed with technique , Anton- fun and crazy. I doubt he's really like that but is just being given a role to play in an entertainment show.

Yes I oddly know a few people who have met him (by chance), one relative actually twice! And all have said how absolutely lovely, patient and charming he was, and how kind he was to the children.

GrimDamnFanjo · 15/10/2023 12:52

shadypines · 15/10/2023 11:20

I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw Anton on the judging panel. I thought he was, in the main, thoughtful, interesting, insightful and he cared about the contestants. I was interested in what he had to say.
But oh my lord what is happening? Lately it's like he's being taken over by the spirit of Len and Bruno. Shouting, one words sentences or grunts, waving his arms about and rather than speaking normally like the others. It's really hard to listen to. Also needs to pipe down on the 'I did that with Anne Widdicombe once' , it was amusing the first few times but not ad infinitum.
Can we have the old Anton back please?

Yes! I said the exact same thing to DH last night!
I think he's searching for a persona.

Gothambutnotahamster · 15/10/2023 12:52

Clawdy · 15/10/2023 11:49

I really like Anton but he was completely over-the-top last night, and very annoying.

Yep, this!

Ramalangadingdong · 15/10/2023 13:13

WeightoftheWorld · 15/10/2023 12:51

Yes I oddly know a few people who have met him (by chance), one relative actually twice! And all have said how absolutely lovely, patient and charming he was, and how kind he was to the children.

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I met him once too and said something that could be deemed rather insulting - I didn’t mean to but was being a bit gushy and it slipped out. He was charm personified and just took it in his stride. He might have been thinking that I was an idiot but he certainly didn’t let on, which I very much appreciated.

Romeiswheretheheartis · 15/10/2023 13:44

My friend met Anton Du Beke while they were both out for a meal with their respective families. She said he was constantly bothered for photos (including by her) and yet was charm personified throughout - smiling and chatting with everyone.

He might have been charm personified, but if I was his wife I'd have told your friend and everyone else where to go (and then been slated on here for being Anton's obnoxious wife!) - it's no wonder celebs end up only mixing with other celebs when they can't go out for a family meal without it getting spoiled by people.

LizzieSiddal · 15/10/2023 13:52

The judges are only supposed to get around 20 seconds each to speak. Anton is going on much longer so the other judges get much less time, which must be very annoying for them.

It’s a live show, Anton knows this, he should shut up or I expect he’ll be gone next year.

watcherintherye · 15/10/2023 13:57

Ramalangadingdong · 15/10/2023 13:13

I met him once too and said something that could be deemed rather insulting - I didn’t mean to but was being a bit gushy and it slipped out. He was charm personified and just took it in his stride. He might have been thinking that I was an idiot but he certainly didn’t let on, which I very much appreciated.

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Do tell us what you said!

Ramalangadingdong · 15/10/2023 14:54

watcherintherye · 15/10/2023 13:57

Do tell us what you said!

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I made it known that, although I wasn’t a fan of his, people I know would be thrilled that I had met him!!! He laughed it off.

Knitgoodwoman · 15/10/2023 14:56

I’ve met Anton and he was really lovely and generous with him time.

PeskyRooks · 15/10/2023 15:06

I've just shown dd this thread as I was saying that exact same thing last night!

It's like he's been told to liven up a bit which is wrong because I much preferred it when he was a calm and measured judge. (Although I wish he would stop putting his arms up and demonstrating the head tilt thing that he seems to do every week!)

We don't need another Bruno Icouldn't stand his shouting and standing up every two minutes!

Wishingwell57 · 15/10/2023 15:12

Romeiswheretheheartis · 15/10/2023 13:44

My friend met Anton Du Beke while they were both out for a meal with their respective families. She said he was constantly bothered for photos (including by her) and yet was charm personified throughout - smiling and chatting with everyone.

He might have been charm personified, but if I was his wife I'd have told your friend and everyone else where to go (and then been slated on here for being Anton's obnoxious wife!) - it's no wonder celebs end up only mixing with other celebs when they can't go out for a family meal without it getting spoiled by people.

That wouldn't stop people wanting his autograph or a photo. It would simply make the wife look aggressive.
I expect celebrities know they will be recognized if they dine in public, and it's good to know that Anton was kind.

octodrive · 15/10/2023 15:18

He was great at the start but he is channeling Bruno, Len and a bit of Craig too

mydogisthebest · 15/10/2023 15:43

He did seem a bit over the top last night but I still prefer him to Shirley and Motsi

PartTimeLove · 15/10/2023 15:51

100% agree.

I really really liked him at first - I think his comments are always supportive, encouraging and knowledgable. But the recent noises and catchphrases are getting annoying now. And the contestants just laugh awkwardly. You don't need to do this, Anton!

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shadypines · 15/10/2023 16:57

I am not surprised to hear the tales of him being a nice fella out of the spotlight, this is why I want the original Anton back! Mmm, interesting but I'm not sure about him being directed to be this over the top personality, they knew what he was like before but still employed him as the judge. Unless someone is supposed to be acting it never works to try and force a persona.
Also, I appreciate that he wants to mention his time as a dancer on the show, by all means we want his insight and expertise. He just needs to STOP mentioning Anne Widdecombe, it's boring now and he's had loads of fabulous dance partners eg. Esther Rantzen, Patsy Palmer and Lesley Garrett.

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