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One Enchanted Evening – Out Today!

My loves,

I’m thrilled, excited, and incredibly proud to announce that my debut novel ‘One Enchanted Evening’ is out today!

I’d like to share with you a fabulous teaser trailer video prepared by my publishers, with a voice-over extract of the novel read by yours truly!

Signed copies of my book are still available to purchase through WHSmith, and other formats are available too – see the links below – and do peruse other readers’ reviews on the Amazon and Waterstones links! {Signed copies have now sold out, but you can still join me on my book signing tour if you’d like your copy signing!}
 

Out now!… Click to buy:

 
{…And see here for news of the Audiobook – with a free 5 minute excerpt, too!}
 

Don’t forget, there are two book signing events this coming Sunday, 7th October – in Monmouth and Bath – and then the 14th October in Kingston and Guildford. Keep an eye on my blog and social media for news of additional dates, too.

I do so hope you enjoy reading my novel – please let me know via Facebook or Twitter – I’d love to hear from you!

Week 2 – The Foxtrot… and AntonDuBekxit!

After the lows, and low scores of our week 1 samba, I was a firm believer that the only way was up from our position at the bottom of the leaderboard. Oh how wrong I was! Read on to find out more about our untimely departure, #AntonDuBekxit, and what’s in store for the coming months!

Week 2 was our week to shine after our disappointing dance debut, and we felt sure our classy slow Foxtrot would be a winner with the judges this week. Didn’t we look the part, too – dressed to the nines as we stepped out from underneath the arbour, Dave Arch’s flaring trumpets giving us our cue – what a stylish entrance for our comeback performance.

As we took to the floor, we went straight into a little side-by-side section to get us us into the swing of the dance, and we were off!

All felt good and right, and things went reasonably well, until I think the nerves crept in and, well, the steps all seemed to be there alright, just not quite in the right order! There may have been a slight footwork fracas in the far corner as we negotiated a turn, but we got ourselves back on track and brought the routine to a graceful close on time, in the right place, and with great aplomb! Beautifully done!

A fine Foxtrot Susannah and @TheAntonDuBeke. The Judges can't take that away from you. 🎩 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/LdNvkUufQP

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 29 September 2018

Such wonderful music to have the opportunity to dance to, that Ol’ Blue Eyes number “They Can’t Take That Away” – emotively performed by the Strictly band – and to dance a proper ballroom number too, what a treat!

The treat was short-lived however as we braced ourselves for the judges’ comments. I’m afraid Craig didn’t find anything more positive than last week – “even the smoke sadly couldn’t hide that dance disaster,” he chimed, to which Darcey gave him a slap on the wrist. She was more positive but did recognise Susannah’s fleeting lapses in concentration (which she herself admits), but noted that she kept her smile throughout. Shirley said there was definitely an improvement over last week, which was news very gratefully received. Bruno, however, said I could have got better movement out of a lamppost. The crowd quite rightly erupted with boos!

I was enormously proud, and so pleased that Susannah said she enjoyed the dance – ultimately, that’s the most important thing – if you don’t enjoy doing something you’re never going to improve at it – and that’s one very good reason why constructive criticism is so important for our novice dancers.

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@susannahconstantine and @theantondubeke are happy to have matched their Week One score 👍 #Strictly

A post shared by BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) on Sep 29, 2018 at 11:38am PDT

The scores, I’ll admit, came as a surprise. Given our 12 points from last week, I had every expection of improving on both score, and position, this week. “The only way is up,” I believe I wrote in my last blog post. I hadn’t factored on staying firmly put where we were!

Even though Tess had broken his ‘1’ paddle, Craig must have commandeered a spare during our number, as that was all he gave us. Darcey and Shirley both gave us 4s, and Bruno a 3. Lo and behold: 12 points. Again. Bottom of the leaderboard… Again!

Oh dear, we both knew we were in trouble, but saw opportunity in being able to perform again and nail it in the inevitable dance-off.

Sunday night came, and as we suspected, we were bathed in that terrifying red light. Mind you, they’d kept us waiting until the very end to find out – it felt like an eternity – but when it was finally between us and Kate & Aljaz, we knew if was going to be us. And in fact, with Lee and Nadiya already pegged for the dance off, we had a good idea where this was all heading.

Oh no! Susannah and Anton will also be dancing for their place in the competition, while @katesilverton1 and @AljazSkorjanec are safe #Strictly pic.twitter.com/LfxWMBQRl2

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 30 September 2018

Susannah said to Tess that she thought she was improving, but that she’d feel bad if another couple were in our place – to which I begged to differ, but that’s the competitive dancer in me!

When asked for some last minute advice, Craig suddenly mellowed (or had a moment of madness!) and gave Susannah quite a marvellous pep talk for which I was most grateful. All that was left was for us to take to the floor and dance as though it would be our last. Without the same pressure and nerves, the celebrities can often perform so much better and thow themselves fully into the dance. And that’s just what Susannah did. We weren’t going out without a fight!

I thought she danced marvellously and I couldn’t have been more proud… but alas, t’was not to be: worthy rivals Lee & Nadiya won the judges votes and the last ticket through to Strictly Movie Week.

"It's been all too brief" 💔 It really has. RT to give Susannah and Anton a big #Strictly goodbye! ✨ pic.twitter.com/Bct5ukMc9u

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 30 September 2018

All too brief, all too brief, my loves. Huge congratulations to all the other couples for making it through, but huge commiserations for Susannah, and for her Strictly experience to have been cut so short. We’ve had such a wonderful three weeks in training, we clicked instantly and were completely on the same wavelength – so our time together in the studio hardly felt like work at all, even though we did work tirelessly. Perhaps different dances would have enabled her to build up more confidence in the performances, I’m sure luck of the draw plays a crucial part in the early rounds. And I know Susannah was looking forward to our Movie Week Charleston – now that would have been definitely worth more than a 12! Ah, we’d barely just begun!

It's the first time Anton's bowed out in Week Two, but his time with Susannah has been fab-u-lous 👏 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/JKeMEEdJsH

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 30 September 2018

Well my loves, this brings us to the fact that this series has resulted in my earliest Strictly exit – a disappointment, yes indeed, as it would be for any competitor, but we both have had a truly wonderful time training, rehearsing, dancing – and laughing together. I shall certainly miss our partnership, and I very much hope Susannah has caught the dancing bug and will continue to build on the fabulous progress she’s already made.

As the news of our exit broke across the tabloids earlier this week, so too did quite a number of ‘fake news’ stories, too. It was widely reported that I was quitting Strictly. What rubbish! I even had to make a public announcement to that effect, which Gabby Logan turned into a bit of ‘a thing’ on twitter: “Anton Du Bekxit”. I roared, you can imagine!

My loves, some people are reporting I'm quitting the show. Absolute rubbish! I'm NEVER quitting. Whether they want me or not, I'm never going! 😄 Love you all and love @bbcstrictly! #BBCstrictly

— Anton Du Beke (@TheAntonDuBeke) 1 October 2018

We need some calm and stability in these difficult times. So glad Bekxit isn’t happening. https://t.co/F3dxmZMXX3

— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) October 1, 2018

Believe you me, I’ll be back every year whether they want me or not… and one day I’ll make it all the way to the Grand Final and lift that Glitterball aloft! The king of ballroom has spoken!

And so, my loves, I’ll sign off here. I’ll of course be back for the Pro Dances throughout the rest of the series, so look out for me in those.

Meanwhile, it’s all go this week as my debut novel is released TOMORROW! You can find out more about that, and how to order a signed copy here on my blog. Do keep a watch on social media too as there’ll be more announcements to come, including additional dates on my book tour!

And don’t forget, I’ll be heading off on tour with Erin next January with our new show “Dance Those Magical Musicals” – full details, dates and booking links can be found here: antonanderinlive.co.uk – Erin and I hope to see you in the audience!

Until then my loves, keeeeep dancing!

Week 1 – The Samba

I couldn’t possibly have imagined a more flamboyant start to Strictly 2018 for Susannah and me… You might have thought we had an inkling when we heard the producers’ choice of music for our inaugural routine… but it certainly took on a life of its own when the choreography was combined with the costumes! This fruity samba to Carmen Miranda’s Tico Tico was always destined to be a memorable number — but unfortunately it wasn’t the only memorable number for us on the night!…

I shan’t reveal whose idea it was for me to make my entrance from secret doors in my partner’s skirt, but it was clearly inspired. I’ve never known anything like it! Another first for Strictly – as indeed, was dancing a Samba in week 1.

PEAK ANTON #Strictly pic.twitter.com/Hj4F2QK3UC

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 22, 2018

To tackle the samba as an introduction to Strictly is undoubtedly a baptism of fire. Just when your partner starts to believe they have some mastery over the steps and a feel for the performance, it can all be undone by nerves and the pressure of delivering such a fast, high-energy dance. It’s understandable, as I’m sure you’ll agree, that nerves may have got the better of Susannah at times in terms of recalling the steps, but those very same nerves have surely now been steeled by the experience.

I happen to think Susannah did tremendously well for a complete novice and a debut dance like that. She delivered a good number of basic steps – at speed, too: whisks, voltas, the corta jaca, promenade runs; and whilst of course there’s room for improvement, this was week 1 – it was all about her finding her feet and getting a performance under her belt.

Did you spot the stray maracas on the dance floor throughout (ah, the joy of props!) – it was a bit like dodging giant marbles at times, so how that didn’t put us both off I don’t know! I’m not sure I could actually see my feet or the floor for that matter will all those leg frills!

Hats off to Susannah though for getting through the dance in grand style – and reaching the floorspin finale on time too – no mean feat. For me, it’s a clear indication of her determination, her enthusiasm and her ability – I’m also mightily encouraged by the fact she’s proving to be a rather good mover!

Of course, the judges took a direct line with their critique… though I’m pleased to say Darcey and Shirley both saw not just the entertainment value, but also the potential in Susannah – hurrah – “A dancer trying to come out,” said Shirley – quite right! She also made mention of the technical content too – and the speed at which it was delivered; I was pleased for Susannah to hear these things referenced, credit where credit’s due.

More deflatingly, Bruno coined the routine ‘Car Crash Miranda’ not Carmen Miranda, and Craig said the best part was the floorwork at the end (or rather, words to that effect!).

Duly, when the scores were announced, we knew where we stood. A ‘1’ from Craig. Boos and jeers erupted from the audience, and I must admit we were taken aback by such a low score. My goodness, I haven’t scored a 1 since Nancy Dell’Olio (our week 1 waltz scored 12 points again with a 1 from Craig). Susannah was pragmatic and said it could have been worse if we’d received a 1 from each judge, but at least the 3 from Shirley and 4s from Darcey and Bruno bolstered us to a round dozen. It placed us bottom of the leaderboard though… obviously not the soaring start we were hoping for, but looking on the positive side, the only way is up!

Awarded just one from Craig! #Strictly pic.twitter.com/F5OfxKsLSR

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 22, 2018

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@mrantondubeke thinks @susannahconstantine danced an amazing, fruity Samba! 🍍

A post shared by BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) on Sep 22, 2018 at 11:26am PDT

With training almost complete for our Week 2 Foxtrot to that Sinatra classic ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’, we’re on a roll, just you wait and see! Tune in to BBC1 at 6:30pm on Saturday and watch us make a comeback! Don’t forget, the voting opens this weekend too, so we’ll be counting on your votes to help us through to week 3!

…Your support, my loves, is always appreciated!

Meanwhile, there’s still time to be in with a chance of receiving a beautiful printed sample chapter from my upcoming novel, ‘One Enchanted Evening’. Head over to Facebook and comment and share this post to enter the random draw. There are 50 sample chapters to give away! Deadline is midnight tonight though, so be quick!

Until the weekend!
Much love,

Strictly Series 16 – Dressed for Success!

I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I was when the BBC invited me back to compete in another series – my sixteenth! Sweet sixteen! Well, let me tell you, nothing would be sweeter than the heady reward of lifting aloft that ever-elusive glitterball at the Grand Final. Could this year be my year I wonder? There’s only one way to find out, my loves — Strictly‘s back… and I’m ready to dance!

Wait till the end… pic.twitter.com/H1OWiuWnDy

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 28 August 2018

Now there’s a spectacular teaser trailer if ever I saw one! BBCStrictly tweeted it with the comment “Wait till the end…” and with good reason – fast forward to 1m 13s and you’ll see what they mean. Simply joyous! I’m taking it as a very good omen!

The competition this year is certainly hot, with a very strong line-up as I’m sure you could tell from the red carpet launch show two weeks back. What a spectacular event that was – the BBC working its phenomenal televisual magic once again. Every year it just gets better and better, and series 16 is set to beat all others with the calibre of talent – and its wonderful production wizardry. Wizardry was certainly the word when I made an entrance atop a giant glitterball at the end of the group number! It’s very important to make a memorable entrance, you know!

🎶He came in like a Du-Beke-ing ball… 🎶#Strictly pic.twitter.com/SkMqFN7seI

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 8 September 2018

Our family of Professional dancers has had a bit of a reshuffle – this will be the first series without Brendan Cole who’ll be sorely missed by all, as will the lovely Chloë Hewitt, too. The three newcomers to the Strictly fold are Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk, Graziano Di Prima – three very talented dancers who are sure to win your hearts as you see them in action. Let’s extend a very warm welcome to them all!

We’ve fifteen celebs from a fantastic diversity of fields this year – presenters, actors, singers, sportspeople, journalists, a comedian and even a doctor!

Say hello to the #Strictly class of 2018! 👋✨
Meet our fabulous 15: https://t.co/SUvuhlm6fE pic.twitter.com/xgQnshXomS

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 21 August 2018

…Those all important pairings are as follows, and I rather think they make for an exciting, if not sizzling series indeed!

Radio DJ Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima
‘Steps’ singer Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice
News anchor Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec
Presenter Katie Piper and Gorka Marquez
Paralympian Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard
Documentary maker Stacey Dooley MBE and Kevin Clifton
‘Pussycat Dolls’ singer Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev
Actor Danny John Jules and Amy Dowden
‘This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh and Janette Manrara
‘Casualty’ actor Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
‘Blue’ singer Lee Ryan and Nadiya Bychkova
YouTuber Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
Comedian Seann Walsh and Katya Jones
England Cricketer Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse…

…and of course, my new partner for Strictly 2018… the rather fabulous Susannah Constantine – fashion journalist, presenter, author… and now dancer-in-the-making!

“Bring on the #Strictly curse” 😂We’re so ready for Susannah and @TheAntonDuBeke ✨ pic.twitter.com/vchgTrSP4y

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 8 September 2018

Fifteen fabulous #Strictly couples 🙌 pic.twitter.com/g6gFGYSJMI

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 9 September 2018

We’ve got off to a tremendous start in rehearsals: we happen to be very well suited personality-wise, and as you know, we’re both very particular about being properly, and appropriately dressed. I’m hoping her attention to detail will translate to the dance floor, but if initial enthusiasm and determination are any measure, I say we’re dressed for success!

Our first dance in the competition is the Samba. And however you choose to pronounce it, it’s a tall order for anyone’s first performance on Strictly! In at the deep end as regards energy and performance level, not to mention the steps… and it’s a physically demanding dance too. All that said, what better way to immerse yourself into the spirit of the show – it could work a treat for gaining experience and building confidence, and, thinking positively, our dance could be a triumph – as evidenced by the rehearsal clips below!

“I haven’t had this much fun with my clothes on for years…” 🤣 #Strictly rehearsals are going well then Susannah and @TheAntonDuBeke? pic.twitter.com/d8o7z3DVWp

— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) 18 September 2018

 

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Dancing Into The Weekend With @susannahconstantine Like… #strictly #bbc #2018

A post shared by Anton Du Beke (@mrantondubeke) on Sep 14, 2018 at 10:07am PDT

 

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Another week full of rehearsals with my partner @susannahconstantine She’s Just Fantastic! 💃🏼🕺🏻 #strictly #2018 #bbc

A post shared by Anton Du Beke (@mrantondubeke) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:18am PDT

 

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Last day of full rehearsals today… Bring on Saturday!🕺🏻 @susannahconstantine #strictly #bbc #2018

A post shared by Anton Du Beke (@mrantondubeke) on Sep 20, 2018 at 11:07am PDT

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Can you guess what happens next? 🤭🤣 You’ll find out tonight.. Who’s watching? #strictly #bbc #2018

A post shared by Anton Du Beke (@mrantondubeke) on Sep 22, 2018 at 8:33am PDT

Not long to go now until the theme tune begins, the audience clapping in rhythm, Tess and Claud heralding the start of the competition… and fifteen fledgling couples waiting their turn to take flight and perform live for the judges, the studio audience, and the nation!

Our dance card’s all set up ready for this series over at antonanderin.com/strictly – and there you can look back over the past 15 series’ dances – Erin’s too – some fabulous performances to revisit.

If you want to see more, don’t forget Erin and I are on tour in 2019 with Dance Those Magical Musicals! Running from 25th January to 24th March, it’s going to be our best tour yet!

And I should also mention that my debut novel “One Enchanted Evening” is due for release on the 4th October – less than 2 weeks away! You can pre-order a signed copy from WHSMith here, or click through to read more about it.

But until then, Susannah and I have some dancing to do! Wish us all the very best of luck, my loves, and we’ll see you on the dance floor this evening… tune in, BBC1 6.15pm – let’s dance!

Much love, as always,