Following the shock news that Brendan Cole has been AXED from Strictly Come Dancing, there are fears that Anton Du Beke could be next...
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left reeling yesterday at the news that Brendan Cole had been axed from the programme.
And now there are worries that fan favourite Anton Du Beke might be next for the chop.
Both Brendan and Anton have been in Strictly since the show since it first aired back in May 2004, and the pair were the last original professional dancers.
So fans are understandably upset at the news that a source has told the Daily Express that Anton is yet to hear from BBC bosses about whether he’ll be back for the 16th series.
GALLERY: 11 MOST SHOCKING Strictly Come Dancing affairs!
11 Strictly Come Dancing affairs that gave us the shock of our lives SLIDER with cover pic
1 of 11Strictly
2 of 111. Did Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole have a Strictly affair?
Strictly's Camilla Dallerup revealed she suffered a 'mini death' when her fiancé Brendan Cole reportedly left her in 2004 for his Strictly dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky. Natasha and Brendan never confirmed they were romantically involved. Natasha said: "There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan."The pair have since married other people, whilst Camilla married former Hollyoaks star Kevin Sacre in 2010.
3 of 112. Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff: Strictly scandal turns fairy tale
After splitting with his girlfriend of five years, Jo-Emma Larvin, just one week into his stint on Stricly in 2009, boxer Joe Calzaghe and professional partner Kristina Rihanoff soon embarked on a romance - splitting in 2013 after four years together.
4 of 113. Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff Strictly scandal turned into true love
Following his 2013 stint on the show, rugby star Ben Cohen revealed he'd split from wife of 11-years Abby. He was then forced to deny he was romantically involved with former partner Kristina Rhianoff, after the pair were spotted linking arms on a London tube train.Ben and Kristina have since started a relationship and the pair welcomed their first child together in 2016.
5 of 114. Did Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace date on Strictly Come Dancing?
Things must have been awkward backstage at Strictly in 2007 when Flavia Cacace reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight-years, Vincent Simone, for Eastenders actor Matt Di Angelo.At the time the actor told the Daily Mail: "The funny thing was the story did not start off as true, but the more you read it, the more you started to believe it and actually act on it."However, Flavia split from Matt in 2010 and went on to wed actor Jimi Mistry (who she met whilst partnered together on Strictly in 2010) in December 2013.
6 of 115. Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna: Strictly relationship
Former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her dance partner, Brian Fortuna, got together in 2009 after starring together on the show - but split a year later.
7 of 116. Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev: Strictly Come Dancing fairy tale ending
Rachel Riley shocked everyone when she revealed she was splitting from husband of just 15-months Jamie Gilbert during her time on Strictly in 2013. Less than a year later, the Countdown star announced she was dating her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev - but insisted there was no overlap between the two romances.
8 of 117. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev: Strictly Come Dancing relationship
Kara Tointon not only bagged the Strictly glitter ball in 2010 but also a hunky new boyfriend when she embarked on a romance with her Strictly partner Artem Chigvintsev.However, after three years of being together the pair split, and the former EastEnders actress told The Telegraph: "We are not together. We're fine, but we aren't a couple anymore."
9 of 118. Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward: Strictly Curse
When Georgia entered the competition in 2015 she was dating her Coronation Street co-star, Sean Ward. At the time she reassured everyone that she was in a happy relationship and she was just good friends with her dance partner Giovanni.However, shortly after the competition finished she ended her relationship with Sean and started a relationship with Giovanni.Unfortunately Georgia and Giovanni split before series 14 started. The former Coronation Street actress announced the news on Twitter, writing: "It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved."Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times."We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future."
10 of 119. Did Helen George split from Oliver Boot because of Strictly?
Helen George appeared on Strictly in 2015 and split from her husband Oliver Boot of three years. Were they hit by the Strictly curse?
11 of 1110. Did Susanna Reid and Dominic Cotton break up because of Strictly?
Susanna Reid featured on Strictly during series 11. After the show finished, Susanna and her partner Dominic Cotton split.The TV presenter denied the end of their relationship being related to the Strictly curse, she told the Daily Mirror: "I think people think Strictly was bound in what happened. It wasn't."Obviously things have been challenging in my personal life but we are getting things sorted."
Anton is the oldest dancer in the group at 51, but carries himself beautifully and has proved a very nurturing and generous partner to various celebrities over the years.
Last year was an important one for Anton, as he became a dad for the first time welcoming twins into the world with his wife Hannah, so he’ll no doubt be keen to remain on the dance floor with two little mouths to feed!
Brendan Cole has always been a much more dramatic character than Anton, and has speculated that his contract not being renewed may come as a result of arguments with the judges. He appeared close to tears as he told presenter Lorraine Kelly: “I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.”
Brendan won the first series with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, and hit headlines when it emerged he and Natasha were more than just dance partners - making them the very first victims of the Strictly Curse!
Meanwhile Anton, whose partners have included Esther Rantzen, Jerry Hall and – memorably – Ann Widdecombe, is yet to lift the glitterball trophy. But he did reach the final of series 13 with partner Katie Derham.
Outside of Strictly, he’s danced professionally with partner Erin Boag since 1997.
We’re hoping that Anton remains in place for the next series – when it comes to looking dapper on the dancefloor, no one can touch him. Come on Strictly bosses – give him a partner worthy of his talent!