18 November 2023 , 08:15
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Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke has led a fascinating, and often troubled life, on and off the dance floor.
The BBC competition judge, who was formerly a professional dancer on the show, is famed for his firm but kind responses to the amateur dancers taking part, with him often left stumbling for words amid his excitement over performances. The 57-year-old is able to share wisdom from his own journey to becoming a ballroom champion - which was far from plain sailing.
Anton, from Kent, grew up with an abusive father who despised his dream of being a dancer. Only this year, the star opened up about their turbulent relationship, revealing the alcoholic had once stabbed him as a child, which left him in hospital for three days. After speaking to Kate Garraway for her ITV's Life Stories about his traumatic upbringing, Anton, who is now a father himself, received immense support from fans.
Away from the ballroom, the ballroom and Latin dancer, who has joined James Martin in his Hampshire home for his Saturday Morning show on ITV, found love later in life with wife Hannah Summers, who is also a dancer. The couple heartbreakingly struggled to get pregnant but after going down the IVF route, are now proud parents to twins George and Henrietta. Here, the Mirror takes a look at the Strictly star's home life and how he found happiness with the beautiful Hannah...
Love at first sight
Anton and wife Hannah met in 2011 (Getty)The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer met his wife Hannah Summers in 2011. He revealed that they met at a dinner party and he was instantly smitten, so he decided to follow her to the toilet for a chance to speak to her alone. Speaking on Steph's Packed Lunch in 2021, Anton said: "I knew almost immediately that I loved her. She also loved me immediately but I was holding a bottle of wine.
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"I knew from my side it was almost immediately.I saw her across the table there and I thought, wow she is absolutely outrageous," he added. Anton admitted his surprise that Hannah actually spoke to him when he followed her to the ladies', let alone that she actually shared his feelings. Anton, who admitted the exchange made him "look a bit weird", told her he loved her then and there. He continued: "She came out she looked at me and went 'Have you been waiting outside the ladies' for me? And I went 'Yes, it's because I love you.'"
Rarely seen twins
The couple struggled to conceive (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Anton was delighted to become a dad aged 51 but he has revealed that he and Hannah heartbreakingly struggled to conceive. Hannah suffers from the painful condition endometriosis, which can make conceiving extremely difficult. Anton shared that the couple managed to fall pregnant with the twins thanks to IVF.
Anton admits the couple found IVF 'tough' but that it brought him and businesswoman Hannah closer together. Thankfully the IVF worked on Anton and Hannah's first attempt. They welcomed twins George and Henrietta in 2017, before marrying that same year. He recently gave a rare insight into life as a dad following his NTA win for Best Talent Show Judge.
He told The Mirror: "My children are of a wonderful age and they are so involved with me. They knew I was going out to get an award as they get awards in school. When they found out I was going to the NTAs they were like ‘Good luck, Daddy.’ Henrietta did this little thing with my hand and gave me a good luck charm. She said, 'This is for good luck.' It was so gorgeous. When I got home I put the award on the bedside table in our bedroom.
"I got up early the next morning and George came in. I could hear his feet and he turned to me and said, ‘Daddy, did you win a trophy? Or is it a medal?’ It was just wonderful. I never want it to change. They both want to become dancers and they watch Strictly. Henrietta is all over it and puts her own scores up."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Anton says his children are his greatest joy. "We had children when I was 50 and it has been the best thing that ever happened in my life," he said. "We decided to have children and we went down the IVF route. We did it and had the greatest fortune as we became pregnant. We thank our lucky stars. It is the most incredible thing in the world and has been brilliant."
Incredible country home
Anton has a stunning country home (ITV)With all his hard work, it's no surprise Anton has a gorgeous country home in Buckinghamshirewhere he lives with his Hannah and their twins. Over the years, Anton has given fans glimpses into the sprawling property through social media and TV appearances. The TV star previously showed off his rustic kitchen during a video appearance on ITV's This Morning.
The couple have exposed brick on one wall, adding a country while the rest of the space has patterned white and beige tiles and plain white cupboards. Anton and Hannah added colour to the room by purchasing a red microwave, red bread bin and other small red knick-knacks including a heart bunting above the oven.
He also has a gorgeous home office which fans got a glimpse at when he was promoting his book in October 2020. The star filmed inside the room against the backdrop of gigantic wooden bookshelves which ran across two walls. His classic brown bookshelves were filled to the brim with endless genres.
He says they are the 'best thing' to have happened (Anton Du Beke/Instagram)The rest of the family home is just as cosy as he once shared a snap of his calm living room. In the photo, Anton was sitting down on a plain beige sofa that was placed in front of the large window. Floral curtains added a pop of colour to the space and children's toys were dotted around the entire room. His twins even have their own tiny armchairs.
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Anton's dining room has a similar vibe with light green curtains complete with a pleated pelmet across the top of the window. The room contained a shining wooden table along with soft off-white chairs. A little life was added to the room with a huge vase of colourful flowers.