Fan favourite Anton Du Beke will make a long-awaited step up to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel this weekend, the BBC has confirmed.
The pro dancer, 54, has appeared in every series of the dance contest - including this series, which saw him and celebrity partner Jacqui Smith eliminated first - and has long been linked with becoming a judge.
On Thursday Motsi Mabuse revealed that she had entered a mandatory two-week isolation after taking an "urgent" trip to Germany, ruling her out of attending the studio this weekend and next.
Now the BBC has announced that Du Beke will take her seat alongside Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas for the next fortnight, tweeting: "We are pleased to announce that the King of Ballroom Anton Du Beke is stepping into our judging panel this weekend. Good luck Anton!"
Mabuse will still appear on the show virtually from home, but like fellow judge Bruno Tonioli - currently in the US - she will not offer live commentary after each performance.
"Congratulations!!" she tweeted to Du Beke. "All the best. I know you will be amazing. Enjoy the show guys."
The show has also been hit by the departure of boxer Nicola Adams from the show this week after professional partner Katya Jones tested positive for coronavirus.
Neil Wilkes
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