Strictly’s Anton Du Beke asked boss if he could 'step away for a while' after family issue

Anton Du Beke requested to step away from Strictly Come Dancing temporarily to address a family issue and spend quality time with his children, prioritising them over a significant pay-cheque. The former professional dancer is now set to reunite with Shirley Ballas as they return to their roles as judges. Both will appear on the BBC One dance contest when the series returns next month, sparking various reactions from fans ahead of the 2026 series.