Anton Du Beke Pays Emotional Tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth on Morning Live

Anton Du Beke, the former Strictly Come Dancing professional turned judge, delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Sir Bruce Forsyth during an emotional interview on Morning Live on November 13. Speaking to hosts Gethin Jones and Kym Marsh, Anton reflected on the legendary entertainer’s lasting influence on his own career and the world of showbiz (Source: BBC Entertainment).

Reflecting on Years of Strictly Come Dancing

Appearing on the BBC daytime show, Anton spoke about the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, which has recently passed its halfway mark after Harry Aikines-Aryeetey became the sixth celebrity to leave the competition. Anton, 59, has been a staple of the show since its very beginning in 2004, spending 15 years as a professional dancer before joining the judging panel in 2021. Over nearly two decades, he has witnessed the evolution of the programme and its impact on audiences across the UK (Source: The Guardian).

During the interview, Anton reflected on sharing the stage with the show’s original host, Sir Bruce Forsyth. Bruce co-hosted alongside Tess Daly from 2004 until 2013, when Claudia Winkleman took over. Forsyth, who passed away in August 2017 at the age of 89, was widely regarded as a national treasure for his contributions to television and variety entertainment (Source: The Independent).

“The Man to Look Up To”

Anton spoke candidly about the deep admiration he has always held for Sir Bruce. “I had the best teacher of all, I had the great Sir Bruce Forsyth as the man to look up to,” he said. “He’s always been a hero of mine. One of the things about doing Strictly Come Dancing for me was being able to work with Brucie. That was the real thing for me. He’s been my hero forever.”

He went on to describe what made Bruce Forsyth such an iconic figure: “I just love that style of entertainment, that old-school variety, standing in front of an audience, having this interaction with them. It’s the fun of it all really. It’s the joy of it all for me, and Brucie was the King of that.” (Source: BBC Entertainment)

A Legacy of Joy and Audience Connection

Anton highlighted the unique way Sir Bruce engaged with audiences, noting that he often stood close to the crowd so he could speak directly to them with his trademark charm: “‘Alright, my love,’ he would say, connecting with everyone. He was just the best,” Anton concluded. His words reflected not only a personal admiration but also the broader influence Forsyth had on shaping live entertainment and television presenting in the UK (Source: The Guardian).

In the interview, Anton’s emotion was palpable, showing how much working alongside Bruce Forsyth meant to him personally. He emphasized that Forsyth’s dedication, charisma, and showmanship set a standard he has sought to emulate throughout his care