Anton du Beke hopes horror stabbing at hands of his dad will give others courage
When Anton Du Beke tearfully revealed that his alcoholic father had stabbed him when he was a child, a nation of fans was heartbroken for him.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge stunned viewers – and even his friends and family – when, earlier this month, he spilled the decades-old secret on Kate Garraway’s Life Stories. Anton told his former Strictly partner that the drunken attack by his late father Antal put him in hospital for three days. And he admitted that many of his friends and family had no idea the incident had ever happened.
Anton said he had been so “embarrassed” by what happened, he told friends he had pulled a hamstring. But now, in his first interview since he bravely opened up about his past, Anton is happily focused on the future. He says: “It wasn’t something I planned to talk about… it just sort of came out. But I’ve had some lovely responses. People have sent me lovely messages, which is the loveliest thing.”
He does at least concede to a little pride in having helped others, and has been publicly thanks by charities for speaking out. Anton says: “If people, or someone, take courage from it, then that’s a good thing. That’s a great thing.” The professional dancer has been praised not only for inspiring those who are currently suffering to get help, but also for showing that it’s never too late to talk about a trauma.
Anton with wife Hannah (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ann)Experts believe sharing past stories can help people heal, even when they don’t realise they still need to. As for Anton, he’s now got one thing on his mind – the new series of Strictly. Now in his second year as a full-time judge, he’s excited by this season’s line-up, which includes actors Amanda Abbington, Ex-EastEnder Nigel Harman, Les Dennis and Emmerdale star Adam Thomas, as well as newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy and former pro tennis player Annabel Croft.
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But he is particularly keen to see one contestant take to the dance floor. “I’m looking forward to seeing Angela Rippon,” he says, raving about the ex-newsreader who, at 79, will be the show’s oldest ever contestant. “It’s a tremendous line-up. I’m visiting the studio in a few days and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s first outing.”
But first, he is leading the charge in next Wednesday’s Strictly Come Dancing special of BBC One’s DIY SOS. In the heartwarming renovation show, Anton and pro dancers Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Graziano Di Prima and Nancy Xu help Nick Knowles and his team bring some much-needed sparkle to a performing arts school in Wallsend, North Tyneside.
Anton with twins Henrietta and George (Internet Unknown)Anton, who lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife Hannah and twins, George and Henrietta, six, says he is a big fan of DIY SOS. “Hannah and I love shows like this,” he says. “Someone’s had a hard time, they come back and the team has done the garden… built them an extension.
“It’s not just a nice gesture, it’s life-changing.” In a project worthy of a Glitterball, next week’s show will see the Strictly team help transform a derelict old boys’ club into a creative home for True Colours – a charity for young people with additional needs. It’s enormously touching to see these kids and the difference it’s going to make for them,” says Anton.
“[Sometimes] you just need a nice place to be, with like-minded people that’s going to feel like a safe space.” True Colours dancer Alanna, 15, who has autism and ADHD, says: “True Colours is my whole world.” And Graziano meets boys who love dancing but felt like outcasts.
Anton opened up to TV presenter Kate Garraway (ITV/Callum McCarron/REX/Shutterstock)Anton started ballroom dancing at the age of 13 – and was the only boy in the class, in his hometown of Sevenoaks, Kent, to do so. Knowing what we know about his home life, it’s clear why Anton can appreciate what an escape somewhere like a dance school can be. He recalls: “I started dancing in a dusty old Scout hut on a Wednesday.
“I never told anybody in school – I probably would have been bullied. It’s different times now.” Anton’s two children both love to dance, and their doting dad is happy to encourage them. He says: “You don’t want to dampen that sort of expressive naturalness about them. Six-year-olds just feel it and they do it.
“You want that childish joy and enthusiasm that they bring to everything. You don’t want to knock that out of them, so it’s great for them to have an avenue to go and express.” Anton credits Strictly for the revolutionary shift in perception of dancing. He says: “Dance has become so mainstream and prevalent. I don’t think this is too grand a statement, but Strictly Come Dancing has changed the world.”
* DIY SOS Strictly Special is on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday. Strictly Come Dancing returns next month.
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