Strictly's Anton has a surprising first during Halloween show

Anton du Beke has been a Strictly Come Dancing staple for so long it's hard to believe there's anything the professional dancer hasn't done on the BBC One show... but it turns out there is.

Anton revealed during the latest instalment that he actually had a pretty big first during the October 26 Halloween Special, admitting that he thought it was the first time he'd ever opened the show.

Strictly Come Dancing - Emma Barton and Anton du Beke

BBC

Surprisingly, the pro – who's appeared on every single series since it first began in 2004 – said after he and partner Emma Barton took to the ballroom that he can't remember ever dancing first before.

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"Anton said to me earlier in rehearsals 'I don’t think I’ve ever opened a show on Strictly'," Emma shared while chatting with host Claudia Winkleman, to which Anton added, "Can’t remember doing it before that… it's absolutely wonderful!"

Strictly Come Dancing, Halloween 2019 - Emma Barton, Anton Du Beke

Guy Levy//BBC

But while the Halloween Special brought a big first for Anton, there were two familiar faces missing from the festivities.

Both Paralympian Will Bayley and pro dancer Neil Jones were missing from the episode, as they suffered injuries during rehearsals.

A Strictly spokesperson said: "Sadly, Will Bayley was injured during training and medics have said he cannot dance in the show this weekend.

"Under the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, Will has been granted a bye to next week.

"Separately, Alex Scott’s partner Neil Jones received an injury whilst training this morning. Kevin Clifton has stepped in to partner Alex in tonight’s show."

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 airs on BBC One.