Entertainment

Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford

The professional fell to the floor in last week’s show after losing his balance.
The professional fell to the floor in last week’s show after losing his balance. The professional fell to the floor in last week’s show after losing his balance.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke has said he is determined to maintain “integrity” in his performances with Ruth Langsford.

The dancing professional and TV presenter wowed viewers on Saturday night with a comedic paso doble which resulted in Du Beke inadvertently losing his balance and falling to the floor, prompting Langsford to clamber on top of him.

The pair finished bottom of the judges’ leaderboard, with Craig Revel Horwood telling Du Beke he was being “really smart” by choosing the entertainment route because “because at least the people at home will vote for it but I can’t possibly”.

They avoided the dreaded dance-off thanks to the public vote and Du Beke told the Press Association he was keen for the fall not to overshadow the rest of the dance.

The 51-year-old said: “The dance before it was quite good. The storytelling throughout the dance was good, it was a comedic story.

Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke (Aaron Chown/PA)

“I think that’s important people appreciate that with what Ruth is doing with the dances, she’s doing everything I’ve asked her to do, which is lovely for me and she’s doing it all well.

“Every dance has integrity. It doesn’t have to always be eyeballs out. You maintain the integrity by doing proper steps and doing it properly, so you just don’t knock about jazz hands and slapstick.”

Langsford, 57, said the incident would stay with her forever and is “what Strictly is all about”.

Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke (Aaron Chown/PA)

She told the Press Association: “It’s an entertainment show.

“We took the moment, I found it very funny I climbed on top of him … the crowd seemed to like it, they were throwing roses.

“That’s what Strictly is about, it’s not all about being the perfect dancer, thank goodness, because I wouldn’t still be there.”

Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Anton Du Beke out to maintain ‘integrity’ in Strictly dances with Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake during a break in rehearsals for their slow foxtrot dance for Saturday’s round of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing at a studio in west London.

She added: “I enjoy doing the comedy and Anton is very funny as everyone knows.

“We have got a very similar sense of humour so we tend to do these comedy ones because they happen quite naturally between us, but I kind of take on board what Craig said that you don’t want people to think they’re just doing that because they can’t dance.

“I think I have improved a bit and I’d like to show people I’ve improved a bit more hopefully.”

The daytime TV presenter said she was desperate to survive another week in order to reach Blackpool.

“I’m this close now to being in Blackpool maybe, which would be incredible. Actually, I’d like to do that for Anton because he’s the ballroom king, he needs to be in Blackpool.”

:: Strictly Come Dancing airs at 6.45pm on Saturday.