Presenter Ruth Langsford has spoken out on social media after professional dancer Anton du Beke appeared to take a swipe at his past partners on Strictly Come Dancing.
The This Morning host, 59, took to Twitter to congratulate actress Emma Barton, 42, on being partnered with Anton in the new series.
And there appeared to be no hard feelings as Ruth told the EastEnders star she “couldn’t have a better partner”.
Congratulations Emma….you’re going to have the BEST time….you couldn’t have a better partner. You’ll be FAB…U….LOUS!! ❤️ https://t.co/Ss7wle9LGz
— Ruth Langsford (@RuthieeL) September 9, 2019
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She tweeted: “Congratulations Emma… you’re going to have the best time… you couldn’t have a better partner. You’ll be FAB…U…LOUS!”
It follows comments that Anton made during the launch episode of this year’s series of Strictly.
When it was revealed he would be partnered with Emma, Anton was clearly overjoyed and could hardly contain his excitement, exclaiming: “Oh my God, I’m going to be here until Christmas!”
When the pair rejoined the other celebs and pro dancers, he clarified: “I just would like to say to all the other ladies, I apologise. I know it seemed a bit of an overreaction… but if you’ve been through what I’ve been through…”
Claudia Winkleman, who hosts the show with presenter Tess Daly, then silenced him – in case any of Anton’s past partners were watching!
Ruth was partnered with the 53-year-old dancer when she was on Strictly in 2017.
The pair were the seventh to be eliminated that series, which was won by Holby City actor Joe McFadden and Russian dancer Katya Jones.
Anton has been with Strictly since it launched in 2004. He was the favourite to replace former judge Darcey Bussell when she left the programme earlier this year.
He talked about Darcey’s bombshell departure on presenter Graham Norton’s Radio 2 show in April, and when asked if he would be up for filling her shoes, his answer seemed crystal clear.
Read more: New Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse backs same-sex dancing couples
He told Graham: “Do you know what? I’m certainly qualified. I suspect there’ll be conversations going on, but it’s one of those things… I’m definitely qualified to do it, I’d love to do it, but we’ll have to wait to be asked in the normal way.”
Producers ended up hiring dancer Motsi Mabuse, who was previously a judge on the German version of the show and is the sister of Strictly pro Oti Mabuse.
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