BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke to make 'change' after sharing twins' love for job

Anton Du Beke has revealed his decision to forego a cherished festive tradition that his children "loved", during a conversation on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast. The esteemed Strictly Come Dancing judge opened up about changing his Christmas work commitments.

Last year, Anton delighted audiences as Smee in a pantomime of Peter Pan at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, an experience his children thoroughly enjoyed. Recalling their reaction, he said: "I mean I did panto for the last couple of years and they came to that and loved it and loved it, actually, really loved it. Interestingly enough, I wasn't quite sure how much they would, but they did; they loved the panto."

However, pantomime season means a gruelling schedule, which Anton acknowledges: "The whole of Christmas goes. Two shows a day, every day. So, before and after Christmas. So I don't see them at all, and we made the decision this year that Hannah and I, at the end of last year, that we would not do it for a while."

In a separate discussion with Express.co.uk last December, Anton shared his pleasure at being able to perform near his home, allowing more precious moments with his wife Hannah and their twins, George and Henrietta. His preference for performing at specific venues close to home remains strong despite previous engagements there with his own productions.

Anton expressed his affection for the theatre, but also shared his concerns about being away from his family during Christmas, calling it a "disaster". He said: "And it means I'm still here for Christmas and I haven't got to be in Sunderland or Newcastle or Blackpool, where I'd have to be away for months," reports Lancs Live.

"That would be a disaster, I wouldn't see them at all through Christmas." In the same podcast, Anton also opened up about his experience with IVF and the surprise of learning that his wife was expecting twins.