Strictly's Craig backs Anton to replace Bruno permanently

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has backed Anton Du Beke to continue as a judge on the show's panel.

The long-serving dancer stepped onto the panel to replace Bruno Tonioli last year, who had to stay in the US amid Covid-19 travel restrictions. Anton had stepped in briefly the year before as well.

However, fellow panellist Craig has suggested that Anton should stay as a judge, admitting he is "so pleased" to "finally" see him in the role.

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"There are only so many years you can be front-row dancing, then the second row, then the third and fourth," he told The Sun. "Then the only place left, darling, is a dancer's sheer death – in the wings."

Craig added: "I was pleased they got him off the dancefloor and then put him where he belongs. I hope he comes back next year. I loved it, absolutely."

While the judging line-up for 2022 is yet to be confirmed, Bruno previously suggested he may be willing to give his seat up for Anton.

"They may say, 'Anton was great, we don't need you'," he told The Sun in July 2021 ahead of Anton's full-series stint.

"I'll do something else. It's like James Bond actors, I've done my stint. You cannot be desperate, if you start down that path you'll go insane. I won't be second best."

Elsewhere, the next series is also set to see the departure of professional favourite Oti Mabuse, Craig recently suggesting that it may be "the best move that she'll ever make".

"I mean she's becoming a huge star in her own right," he told This Morning. "I think that is the way to treat the business. There's only so long you can actually spend in one show."

Craig added: "You just don't want to do the same role for seven years."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.