Strictly star Anton Du Beke shares dancing 'struggle' as he gets older

Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday next July, still has the agility of a man in his 30s on the dance floor.

Anton, who has been a part of every series of Strictly since its inception in 2004 - initially as a professional dancer and then as a judge from 2021 - confesses that one aspect of his craft is becoming somewhat of a "struggle" with age.

Speaking to Woman's Weekly, he revealed how he's always kept himself physically fit: "I know my body. I have got a good understanding of it.

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"I tend to push myself, but I don't try and break myself. Consistency is key. I feel blessed. People half my age are struggling with certain bits. I'm very fortunate I don't. I've looked after myself and I haven't been silly."

However, while executing the steps isn't an issue, remembering their sequence can be tricky: "Remembering what comes next is a bit of a lottery! That's more of a struggle," Anton admitted.

One thing that keeps Anton in shape is chasing after his twins George and Henrietta, whom he and his wife Hannah Summers welcomed in 2017.

As "slightly older parents," both Anton and his wife Hannah Summers appreciate being able to participate in sports with their children as they grow stronger and bigger.

"One of the joys of being my age and having children is, it keeps you young," he said.

He also shared that his daughter Henrietta is passionate about horse riding, while his son George shows more interest in football and rugby.

The twins are also admirers of their father's literary works. Anton expanded his repertoire in 2018, launching his Buckingham Hotel series of novels.

The eighth instalment, A Winter Ball, is set for release later this month.

Alongside his adult fiction, he's penned several children's books in recent years, acknowledging he values "getting a steer" from his youngsters on what captures their interest.

Anton made a permanent transition from the Strictly dance floor to the judging panel in 2021, following temporary cover for Motsi Mabuse during Covid restrictions.

Throughout his tenure as a professional dance partner, he never quite secured the prized Glitterball trophy, coming tantalizingly close in 2019 when paired with EastEnders actress Emma Barton, achieving his maiden 10s yet falling just short of two flawless scores in the finale.