Strictly Come Dancing legend Bruce Forsyth once insisted that a judge be moved away from him during the first series of the show, according to current judge Anton Du Beke.
Anton Du Beke Reveals Bruce Forsyth's Request
Speaking on ITV's This Morning with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood discussed the show's dramatic changes. Anton shared a story about the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, who hosted the first series.
“A lot of people won’t know this, but on the very first series of Strictly Come Dancing, he [Craig] was up the end where I sit,” Anton said. “He was up Brucey’s end. Brucey went, ‘you have to get him away from me,’ and they moved him down the other end.”
Ben asked if it was because Craig was “so mean,” and Anton nodded. Craig explained: “Brucey said I don’t want him on the end because I’m going to go down the line and we can’t end on a negative.” Anton summed up: “So literally Brucey moved Craig to where he is now.”
Strictly's New Changes
Anton and Craig are joined by Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel. This year's series has seen major changes, including the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Pro dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez have left, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be benched.
Last week, EastEnders star Lacey Turner was confirmed as the first contestant. Dani Dyer will return after dropping out last year due to injury, and Delta Goodrem, who finished fourth at Eurovision, is also joining.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 returns in September.
