Zoe Ball backs Anton Du Beke as Darcey Bussell’s Strictly replacement — but reckons job will go to a woman
STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses are keeping tight-lipped on who will be replacing Darcey Bussell on the judging panel – but It Takes Two’s Zoe Ball has made up her mind.
The spin-off show’s host has tipped professional dancer Anton Du Beke to get the gig, after he was previously overlooked for the role of head judge that went to Shirley Ballas.
The presenter thinks the veteran dancer is the best man for the job, but as Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli are expected to return to the panel, Beeb bosses are likely to give the role to a woman.
It comes after former ballerina Darcey made the shock announcement last month that she was quitting the show after seven years.
Zoe said: “I’d really like to see Anton in that role, he’d be amazing. But I have heard there is talk the new judge will be a woman.
“They might pull someone out of the bag that we haven’t even thought of. I loved Darcey. She is one classy lady but also naughty and fun, so a hard act to follow. It was a total shock, but sometimes a change can be a good thing and it’s good to go out on top.”
Change may also be on the cards for Zoe — who is job-sharing the BBC2 show with Rylan Clark-Neal — as she admitted she feels self-conscious pitted against the cosmetic surgery fan.
Speaking at the Radio Festival, she added: “He’s a beautiful boy. And very tall.
“I now have to have my teeth done, some face work and lose some weight. He’s slender. But I can wear heels.”
They are not going to be standing together too much anyway, so I think she will be fine.
READ MORE FROM ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Stacey to have another glow
THE BBC clearly isn’t put off by the fact Stacey Dooley falls in love with her colleagues.
The Strictly winner ditched her fella and hooked up with pro dancer Kevin Clifton on this year’s series. Yet Beeb bosses have recommissioned her make-up competition Glow Up.
The BBC Three series developed a cult fanbase when it aired in March and is gearing up to return.
A telly source said: “Stacey has been working round the clock since winning Strictly and she can forget a summer off with Kevin. She’ll be back working on Glow Up.
“The BBC has recommissioned it for a second series and production crew are in place. They want Stacey to host.”
Cat gives it some Wally
CAT DEELEY is channelling her inner Where’s Wally? with this red and white outfit and pixie boots.
She wore the striking get-up at an event in New York for US channel Fox, which screens So You Think You Can Dance.
And since she’s been the host for the past 13 years, it is fair to say that Cat has earned her stripes.
Must watch
WHAT? The Virtues, Channel 4, 9pm.
WHY? Line Of Duty’s Stephen Graham stars in this bittersweet drama from Shane Meadows about a man trying to come to terms with his traumatic childhood.
HESTON'S ON SHAKY GROUND
HESTON BLUMENTHAL is known for wacky recipes such as egg and bacon ice cream – but his latest rant takes the roast beef-flavoured biscuit.
He reckons water contains messages and that looking at different types of writing can change the taste of coffee.
Speaking on Paul McKenna’s Positivity podcast, the TV chef said: “There’s quite a lot of work being done . . . on the fact that water holds data and memory, and most of our body is water, so it makes sense.
“If you write the word ‘coffee’ in total rounded letters then on another piece of paper or the reverse write ‘coffee’ with no curvy lines, all angular, sharp . . . have a sip of the coffee looking at the round letters, then flip it over, have a sip of the coffee looking at the sharp letters, and the coffee’s more bitter.”
Asked about his proudest moment, the triple Michelin-starred restaurateur said: “I meditated this morning . . . on the way to the airport.
“I think I had my first moment of real consciousness. So I viewed my body as separate to me, and I’ve never had that before. So you say ‘proudest achievement’ – maybe it could be that.”
So not the three Michelin stars then.
Dean'sup for SAS
AFTER screaming his way through the trials on I’m A Celebrity, it’s surprising that Dean Gaffney wants to be in the super-tough Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
But the EastEnders actor, who once had ambitions to be the next James Bond, revealed he has a list of reality TV shows he would like to try.
Speaking as he played in a charity football match for the Lucy Rayner Foundation, Dean said: “They did ask me to do Celebrity MasterChef but I can’t cook.
“So they said to my agent, ‘We’ll come back in a year and see if he has done any cooking lessons.’
“I’d love to do the Celeb SAS reality show – I do like to challenge myself.
“But you’d never see me on Celebrity Coach Trip. It’s just not for me. It’s just a bit tacky.”
I think you might last longer on Coach Trip, Dean.
Biz Bit
A DRAMA about young survivors and orphans of the Holocaust, called The Children, is heading to BBC2. It is based on real-life stories of how children were given refuge to rebuild their lives and stars Tim McInnerny and Iain Glen.
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SOAPBOX
IN EMMERDALE, Pollard is appalled by a revelation and Belle enjoys a distraction from her worries.
Meanwhile, Dawn is horrified by a discovery.
Over on CORONATION STREET, Ken refuses to haul Peter out of rehab to be at Carla’s side.
Elsewhere, Tim and Steve consider developing an app, and Beth finds out something about Kirk’s big break.
Peter arranges to care for Carla at home, Tracy encourages Steve to break the law in pursuit of profit and Seb invites Alina over to stay the night.
In NEIGHBOURS, Bea finishes it with Ned, having almost lost her life, thanks to his vendetta against Finn.
And Chloe decides to split up with Kyle.
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