Peek into Anton Du Beke’s past, where tight budgets paved the way for his rise to Strictly stardom.

Anton Du Beke. Strictly Come Dancing live tour 2025 (Image: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

Strictly judge Anton Du Beke has revealed he was once so poor he put cardboard in his worn out dance shoes.

The 58-year-old star, who is about to go on tour, told The Times: “I used to earn £100 a week and spend £120. The expression ‘I didn’t have a penny to my name’ is a massive understatement.

“My family lived in a council house and money was tight. A lot of money got wasted, what with my father’s drinking.

Tasha Ghouri during the Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour launch, at Utilita Arena, Birmingham. (Image: PA)

Anton, who has been on the BBC show, first as a dance, and more recently as a a judge, since it began in 2004, has also hit out on the BBC picking much younger contestants who can already dance.

He said: “In the old days of Strictly, we used to know everybody. I don’t know half the people who come on Strictly Come Dancing.

“But they all turn out to be marvellous. For example, I didn’t know of Tasha Ghouri ([last year’s runnerup and an ex-Love Islander), but she was extraordinarily fabulous.

“I had no idea who Joe Sugg was either [the YouTuber was a finalist in 2018].

“But here’s no point seeing gorgeous 25-year-olds dancing fabulously. We want the celebrity partners to reflect the people who watch the show.”

Loved for his witty remarks and gentle humour on Strictly Anton reveals he is often mistaken for comic Rob Brydon.

He told The Times: “I have been mistaken for Rob Brydon.

“I was in Wales recently on Barry Island [where Gavin & Stacey is set]. Three people said to me, “Hiya, Bryn [Brydon’s character].”

* Anton Du Beke at the Musicals starts a national tour on March 2 (antontour.com)