Strictly Come Dancing is slowly but surely crossing celeb after celeb off the leaderboard as the final looms ever closer. But on Saturday’s show, one professional dancer had more to be thankful for than just making it though another week.
And, to say he was ecstatic would be an under statement.
On the floor with his head in his heads, he struggled to compose himself as Emma looked bewildered when Claudia Winkleman revealed she had helped him reach a big goal.
“17 series, you don’t understand!” He said, cradling Claudia’s head as she was trying to read out their voting number.
“This is how Kevin Clifton feels, it’s lovely!”
He joked as the audience and his fellow contestants roared with laughter, patting him on the back and congratulating the pair for their score.
And, their dance seemed a hit at home as well for viewers as they were voted to stay on Sunday’s results show.
In an interview on the sofa, they chatted with Claudia about how they felt to receive two of the highest marks.
“I never thought, ever, that as Emma Barton, I would be getting a 10 in Strictly Come Dancing,” she said, not believing the scores from the day before.
“I’m so grateful I was just so pleased for him because this is what I wanted to achieve for Anton, the King of Ballroom, at the home of ballroom,” she beamed at her partner.
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Claudia said to Anton: “Anton Du Beke, your first 10s on Strictly Come Dancing,” she began before he interrupted.
“Can I bask for just a second,” he smiled as he gazed up at the ceiling.
“Thank you, thank you so much,” he said to Emma.
“When Pasha Kovalev left Strictly Come Dancing last year, he announced he’d had 93 10s in eight years,” the pro revealed as the ballroom erupted with laughter.
“I’ve got 91 to go! I don’t know whether I’ve got the years left but it’s a start!”, he joked.
The sly dig comes as the BBC dancer has previously been put with slightly older celebrities.
He described being partnered with Emma as “an absolute dream” in an interview with the Radio Times.
He said ahead of the show: “I’m very excited about this one. Emma’s tall, gorgeous and talented.
“She’s an absolute dream and, I’ve got to be honest, younger than I’m used to. And she’s got her own teeth. That’ll do for me.”
Saturday’s performance was the highest score he had ever received on the show in the 17 years he’s been dancing on it and it definitely came as a shock.
Hopefully the couple can keep up momentum next week and blow the judges away once again – maybe even persuading Craig to hold up his number ten paddle board!
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday one BBC One.
