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Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke announces debut novel, One Enchanted Evening

Well, this is a change of direction!

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Anton du Beke has been quietly cooking up a new career away from the Strictly Come Dancing cameras.

The professional dancer, 51, announced on Thursday that he’s penned his debut novel, called One Enchanted Evening.

And if you’re a fan of Strictly, it sounds like a must-read!

Twitter @TheAntonDuBeke
Exciting news! (Credit: Twitter @TheAntonDuBeke)

Set in 1936, the book tells the story of what happens in the glamorous ballroom of an exclusive London hotel, frequented by politicians, movie stars and royalty.

Read more: Holly Willoughby hints she’s broody after getting “bump envy” from Angela Scanlon

They are entertained by professional dancers from around the world, whose job is to “sweep away the cares” of the powerful guests.

The publisher teased: “The storm clouds of war are gathering, and beneath the glitz and glamour of the ballroom lurks an irresistible world of scandal and secrets.”

Instagram @MrAntonduBeke
Anton was teamed with Ruth Langsford on the last series of Strictly (Credit: Instagram @MrAntonduBeke)

A thrilled Anton revealed the news via Twitter, telling fans: “I am so excited to announce that my debut novel, One Enchanted Evening, will be published this autumn!

“Set in the glamorous ballroom of an exclusive hotel in the 1930s with all the glitz, romance and scandal you’d expect.”

Fans are already excited, telling Anton they couldn’t wait to have a read.

But don’t panic – it doesn’t mean Anton is hanging up his dance shoes to become a full-time novellist!

Although he did admit yesterday he’s not quite sure what’s happening with the next series of Strictly Come Dancing…

After Brendan Cole’s shock axing last week, naturally fans have been worried if other pro dancer favourites could also get the boot.

ITV
Anton said he hasn’t yet signed a definite return to Strictly (Credit: ITV)

Anton explained on ITV’s Lorraine that he “really doesn’t know what’s going on” as the whole process of signing up for another series isn’t simple.

He said: “When you come to the end of a run of something and they want to renew your contract or rehire the dancers, judges, whoever it is, with us, it’s a year by year thing.

“So every year – and the judges and hosts are the same – you finish the series, and it’s a huge success, all being well, then the beginning of the following year, you either get the phone call to the positive or the negative, really.

ITV

“You can never take anything for granted. I feel the same every year after the series is finished. You do go, ‘Okay, I have to wait now and see’.”

Lorraine then pressed Anton to reveal whether he has signed up for another year – but he simply said he doesn’t know yet.

“We don’t really know what is going on because, and this sounds so disingenuous and I don’t mean it to, the way it works is they call everybody at sort of the same time. We’re on tour, they might not get hold of you. Then the discussions start,” he said.

ITV
Anton said Strictly renews contracts yearly (Credit: ITV)

“The one thing you do know immediately is whether you are not going to be asked to come back. And that is the phone call you dread and don’t ever want.”

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“If it’s a positive phone call, the sort of scenario where we get invited to come back, then we go into contractual discussions, all the technicalities.”

When Lorraine said Strictly would be “crazy” to not ask Anton back, he simply said: “It’s a process. But all being well you don’t get the other phone call. You don’t want that phone call.”

Do you want Anton back on Strictly this year? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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