BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Dan Walker says show 'isn't a dance competition' as he names 'unstoppable' winner

Anton Du Beke has revealed how Strictly come Dancing saved him from being "poor" and "a lunatic" as he reflected on his younger years in the competitive dance world.The 56-year-old got into detail about his life before the spotlight as he reflected on becoming a dad for the first time aged 50.The judge has five-year-old twins Henrietta and George with his wife Hannah Summers.Anton said having children at an older age was beneficial as he was "more sensible and more settled" than he was in his younger years.Reflecting on life in his mid-twenties/early thirties, he told Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe he was a "an absolute lunatic".He spilled: "I was really really poor for a start, I mean like I had holes in my shoes and second hand shirts, all that sort of stuff as a young man.Michael Douglas is unrecognisable as he unveils new long, dyed hair"And also not equipped, and an absolute lunatic as well, a competetive animal, ambitious and focused soley on me and what I was going to be doing and my next competition."Anton went on to say he always strived to be the best dancer at competitions which made him "hate everyone"."Everyone was against me," he added recalling his thoughts at the time on the Parenting Hell podcast."I was an absolute lunatic."Anton went on to say it was getting a job on Strictly Come Dancing which made him change his ways.At the time of being approached for the show, he had just finished competing in a big competition in China.He agreed to sign up as a professional, believing it would last for just one series.Over a decade later, Anton is the show's longest-serving cast member.He officially replaced Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel this year after previously stepping in temporarily. Strictly's Kym Marsh

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Molly Rainford has revealed her surprising career plans for when she finishes the show. Molly, 21, is currently competing on Strictly with professional partner Carlos Gu and has her sights set on lifting the Glitterball Trophy this Christmas. But once the series has wrapped, the CBBC actress has her sights set on something slightly different.

Strictly Come Dancing's Fluer East is struggling to contain her emotions while on the show - especially towards Craig Revel Horwood - according to a body language expert. Darren Stanton has said that, despite her exploding onto the dancefloor, she finds it difficult to find an equilibrium at times.

STRICTLY star Shirley Ballas has shared a cryptic post amid speculation that she should be replaced as a judge. Last month the 62-year-old was blasted by fans who claimed that she is sexist. Many viewers think that Shirley has been showing preference to the male celebrity dancers over the women taking part on this year's series of the  BBC1 show.

BBC Breakfast star Carol Kirkwood, 60, prompted her former BBC co-star Dan Walker, 45, to issue some words of warning this morning.The Channel 5 News presenter took to Twitter to urge Carol to “take care” as the star braved some harsh weather conditions. Early this morning, Carol shared some wind gust numbers with her 236,000 followers. The Scottish weather presenter included a chart that showed wind gusts ranging between 40 all the way up to 79 miles per hour in locations like The Needles and Guernsey. “Some of the gusts of wind recorded in the last hour @BBCBreakfast xxx,” Carol captioned the post helpfully. Dan, who used to host BBC Breakfast from 2016 until April this year, urged Carol to proceed with caution. “You take care out there Carol,” the star commented concernedly. The UK is facing high wind speeds and heavy showers across today and tomorrow, as Storm Claudio strikes in the south of England. The Environment Agency has also issued 49 flood alerts across much of central England, from Middlesbrough down to Cheltenham.Government meteorologists issued wind warnings across southern Britain earlier today with another alert in force on Wednesday across western fringes. Turbulent weather will be boosted by a ‘flattened’ jet stream charging across Britain loaded with cyclonic low-pressure systems.Carol’s fans took to the comments section to discuss the stormy weather with the presenter. Bob echoed Dan’s sentiment, penning: “Wow Take Care all today thanks Carol for letting us know.” (sic)Meanwhile Lois joked: “Spent all night dreaming I was in a disco with my neighbours' security lights flashing on and off.”Sharing a cute snap of her sleeping dog, Rebecca wrote: “Very gusty here on the Isle of Wight today, Carol...“The

DAN Walker has revealed he was stopped from entering Channel 5's offices after a security guard failed to recognise him. The broadcaster is the channel's star name having transferred from the BBC in a big money deal earlier this year.

THEY dressed as members of the Addams Family on Saturday night - and it seems the Strictly judges’ relationship is just as dysfunctional. Rumours of a simmering feud between Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas were rife after spats between the trio during the live show.

EASTENDERS star James Bye has branded his Strictly Come Dancing exit as "one of the worst experiences of my life". The 38-year-old became the fifth celebrity to leave the competition when he found himself in the dreaded dance-off for the first time and was up against singer and broadcaster Fleur East, following a Halloween-inspired live show.

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was in floods of tears on It Takes Two after her exit from the competition with celeb partner James Bye. Amy was left reaching for the tissues when EastEnders actor James paid a sweet tribute to her saying he had made a "friend for life". He became the fifth celebrity leave the competition when he found himself in the dreaded dance-off for the first time and was up against singer and broadcaster Fleur East, following a Halloween-inspired live show.

James Bye, 38, appeared with his professional dancer partner Amy Dowden, 32.Speaking to host Rylan Clark about their best efforts to stay in the competition, James recalled going up against his co-star Fleur East, 35, who as James said, “knows what she is doing”.Becoming the fifth celebrity to be voted off the BBC dance competition, EastEnders actor James appeared on It Takes Two to give his farewell interview, a ritual all couples go through after exiting the competition.When asked by Rylan what was going through his mind when they received the devastating news that they were going into the dance off, James replied: “It is up there with one of the worst experiences of my life.“Especially when you know you have to go against Fleur East.”Nodding along in agreement, Rylan echoed James’ thoughts saying: “She is pretty good!”“She knows what she is doing,” James replied, before going on to say that he loves her to “bits” making the entire experience all the more difficult to do.He said: “That is the other thing. It is horrible to feel like I am competing with someone I have got really close with, to someone who is such a lovely person and I know I am going to go.”Admitting that the result did not come as a surprise to him, James went on to reassure fans at home that he wouldn’t have wanted to have left the competition any other way, and that his experience ended on a high.What made his time on the show that extra bit special was being partnered with Amy, who James said “makes Strictly”.Boasting about his professional partner and now lifelong friend, James said: “Amy is what Strictly is all about.

"I am dancing against Fleur East, I went and did my best but she is phenomenal."I’ve had the best time on this show and I have a friend for life [in Amy].

COUNTDOWN looks set to receive a cast shake up as the show celebrates its fortieth anniversary.  The long-running Channel 4 game show launched in 1982 and has featured many memorable hosts and personalities over the years including Carol Vorderman, Rachel Riley and Suzie Dent. But now in a shock twist, to celebrate the legendary programme a number of extra special guest hosts look set to step into the role currently occupied by Colin Murray.  Amongst the new presenters are Baroness Floella Benjamin, Sir Trevor McDonald, Reverend Richard Coles and Moira Stuart who will all take it in turns to host a week of episodes each.

STRICTLY's Craig Revel Horwood has a secret "second job" that's not shown on TV. Craig, 57, has been a judge on the show since it started way back in 2004 and is known for his straight-talking feedback to the stars taking part. But behind the scenes Craig, who started his dance career in 1982, also works as a choreographer, and has been putting the Strictly Live Tour together every year since it started in 2008.

WHO Wants to Be a Millionaire fans have ripped into 'plonker' Dan Walker after an embarrassing blunder. The former BBC Breakfast host appeared on the latest celebrity edition of the ITV quiz show alongside host Jeremy Clarkson.

FORMER EastEnders star Davood Ghadami has reached out to his co-star pal James Bye after he was dumped from Strictly this weekend. Martin Fowler actor James become the latest celebrity to be eliminated from the hit BBC dance contest following an intense dance-off with singer and radio star Fleur East.  His pal Davood Ghadami, once a Strictly contestant himself, has now shared a heartfelt message to his best friend expressing how ‘proud’ he is of the star.

DAN Walker has insisted Strictly Come Dancing is a "popularity contest" as he named his stand-out star of the series. Former BBC Breakfast host Dan, 45, competed on the show last year - with professional partner Nadiya Bychkova - and narrowly missed out on the semi-final.

STRICTLY Come Dancing star James Bye's wife Victoria praised him after he was left in tears during his emotional exit. The EastEnders star, 38, found himself in the bottom two with popstar Fleur East, 35, on Sunday's results show. After battling it out in the dance off, the judges unanimously saved Fleur and James was eliminated.

Millie Bobby Brown sparked confusion with her accent when she appeared on The Tonight Show on Thursday.The 18-year-old appeared to have an American twang despite growing up in Dorset, England.The actress was a guest on the show to promote her new movie Enola Holmes 2 in which she plays an English detective.She's best known for her role in the American Netflix series, Stranger Things.Taking to Twitter during the show, many commented on her accent.Mariyam Irfan wrote: "What happened to her accent?"Matt Goss surprises fans with 'Strictly spoiler' following show exitGaten Matarazzo enjoyer/Ace week added: "Wait, why is Millie Bobby Brown now speaking with an American accent?"Rad-Z commented: "I never knew #MillieBobbyBrown was from Britain...

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were stunned to say goodbye to James Bye tonight after he was booted out in Halloween week. The EastEnders star, 38, found himself in the bottom two with popstar Fleur East, 35, on Sunday's results show. James and pro partner Amy Dowden tried to impress with their Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker.