Anton Du Beke, the beloved Strictly Come Dancing judge, recently shared a humorous yet revealing insight into a common modern-day annoyance—the way people use their mobile phones in public. Speaking on the My Time Capsule podcast, the 58-year-old entertainer expressed his irritation with individuals who use their phone’s loudspeaker while out and about.
“Everyone’s got an earphone,” Anton remarked, adding with a wink, “You can actually hold these things up to your ear.” This comment sparked a broader discussion on contemporary mobile phone etiquette, especially the reluctance to answer calls. Anton pointed out, “Young people will be going, ‘Phone calls? What’s he talking about? We just text and email and WhatsApp. We never actually answer the phone. Are you mad?’”
He admitted that this attitude is shared by his wife, Hannah Summers. “She goes, ‘Oh, I don’t really like speaking on the phone,’” Anton said candidly. “I just go, ‘Grow up. Sort yourself out. What are you talking about?’”
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Anton and Hannah have been married since 2017, having met at a golf club in 2011. They reside in Buckinghamshire with their twins, George and Henrietta.
Beyond his phone etiquette frustrations, Anton shared a touching family moment related to his career on Strictly. Having been a professional dancer on the show since its start in 2004, and ranked 14th worldwide with partner Erin Boag, he moved to the judging panel in 2021. He recalled how his children reacted emotionally when they first saw him dance on television.
“It’s huge. It is wonderful,” Anton said on BBC Radio 2. “The first time my children, when they were very little, saw me dancing on television, they burst into tears. They couldn’t understand how I could be at home and on TV at the same time, especially with this other woman in Daddy’s arms.” This heartfelt moment underscores how intertwined Strictly has become with their family life.
Anton also reflected on his early attempts to woo Hannah, sharing a funny anecdote from the White Wine Question Time podcast. Host Kate Thornton teased him about the odd impression he made by lingering outside a bathroom at the golf club to catch Hannah’s eye. Anton agreed that his approach was unconventional, adding that Hannah initially thought he was “weirdo,” yet was intrigued enough to give him a second look.
This blend of humor, honesty, and family warmth paints a vivid picture of Anton Du Beke both on and off the dance floor.