Anton Du Beke

Anton Du Beke is one of Britain’s most recognisable ballroom dancers, television personalities, entertainers and authors, best known for his long-standing role within BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Celebrated for combining technical dance expertise with quick wit, charm and an instinct for live entertainment, he has progressed from professional dancer to television presenter, bestselling novelist and award-winning judge. His ability to entertain audiences while sharing lessons from an unconventional and highly successful career makes Anton a distinctive keynote speaker for corporate events, conferences, awards ceremonies and after-dinner engagements.

Anton established a professional dance partnership with Erin Boag in 1997, with the pair subsequently winning multiple national and international ballroom titles. His career reached a considerably wider audience when he became a founding professional dancer on the inaugural series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Over 18 series as a professional, Anton partnered celebrity contestants from across entertainment and public life, concluding his competitive run with former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. His television career expanded beyond the ballroom when he became a team captain on BBC game show ‘Hole in the Wall’, before becoming its main presenter. After years of competing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Anton moved permanently onto its judging panel in 2021, replacing Bruno Tonioli and bringing decades of practical ballroom experience to the role.

Anton’s achievements demonstrate his ability to succeed across several areas of entertainment. His contribution to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ was recognised when he received Judge of the Year at the National Television Awards in 2022. Away from judging, he released the studio album ‘From the Top’, which reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart. His enduring popularity as a live performer has continued through nationwide theatre productions, including ‘Together Again’ with fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice, which combines dance, music and comedy for audiences across Britain.

Anton is also an established author. His instructional books ‘Anton’s Dance Class’ and ‘Ballroom Dance Class‘ translated his professional expertise into accessible guidance for readers. He later moved into fiction with ‘One Enchanted Evening’, which became a ‘Sunday Times’ bestseller, demonstrating another dimension to his storytelling ability. His forthcoming childhood autobiography, ‘Steps in Time: The Moments that Made Me’, explores the formative experiences behind the entertainer audiences know today.

For organisations seeking a comedian and entertainer to hire as a keynote speaker, Anton offers far more than celebrity recognition. Years of live television have developed exceptional timing, improvisation, and audience interaction, while competitive dancing provides authentic material on discipline, resilience, partnership, pressure, and performance. His humour allows these experiences to become engaging stories rather than conventional business lessons. Whether addressing leadership, teamwork, perseverance or performing under pressure, Anton combines credible achievement with warmth and comedy, making him particularly suited to audiences who want a keynote that informs, motivates and genuinely entertains.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Anton Du Beke’s remarkable career:

  • 2026 – Scheduled release of his childhood autobiography ‘Steps in Time’
  • 2025 – Launched the hit nationwide theatre tour ‘Together Again’
  • 2022 – Won Judge of the Year at the National Television Awards
  • 2021 – Appointed full-time judge on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
  • 2020 – Finished competing as a professional dancer with partner Jacqui Smith
  • 2018 – Published his bestselling debut novel ‘One Enchanted Evening’
  • 2017 – Released his debut studio music album ‘From the Top’
  • 2009 – Became the main presenter of the BBC game show ‘Hole in the Wall’
  • 2008 – Authored his first instructional dance books
  • 2004 – Joined the original professional cast of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
  • 1997 – Formed his professional dance partnership with Erin Boag