Strictly Come Dancing musicals week: Anton Du Beke steals the show

Strictly Come Dancing has reached quarter-finals week and as the final is in sight, it was time for the show to pull something special out of the bag.

It’s musicals week so the episode kicked off with a West-End themed extravaganza featuring children from top shows such as Annie, but the star of the piece was Anton Du Beke, who sang a number.

However, as far as savvy viewers were concerned, this was yet another step along the road to Anton taking over from the soon-to-be-departing Len Goodman as head judge, something people have been expecting to be announced for ages now.

Or if not head judge, then could Anton be being lined up for presenting duties?

Either way, people were very impressed.

He wasn’t the only professional dancer to show off another string to his bow tonight as Brendan Cole turned up alongside presenter Claudia Winkleman dressed as the lead from Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat to sing the voting terms and conditions, accompanied by a large toy sheep.

They’re a multi-talented lot, those Strictly performers.

If Anton IS appointed Len’s replacement, there could be tensions with Brendan.

Len’s announcement jump started a race to replace the spot of head judge between the two dancers, according to The Sun.

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A source told the paper over the summer: “Anton and Brendan have been with Strictly from the start and have been waiting for this opportunity.

“Anton initially wanted to take over from Brucie when he quit as a presenter. He doesn’t want to miss out on a big opportunity to join the judges.

“But Brendan is confident because he was a hit as a judge on the New Zealand version and thinks that was perfect grounding.”

Anton believes he has the support of Len himself,  but Brendan thinks he has the right experience.

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The source said: “They’re very knowledgeable and are popular with loyal fans.

“Of course the bosses will look at all the options and would consider bringing in another woman.

“Everyone knows Anton and Brendan want it desperately. This year’s series will be seen as an audition and they’ll be out to impress.”

We think a dance-off should decide!