Craig Revel Horwood claimed he is 'over the moon' that Anton Du Beke has been named judge Bruno Tonioli's replacement on the series 19 panel.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 56, revealed he's 'delighted' to be welcoming the BBC show's longest-serving pro dancer to the panel after 17 years on the ballroom floor and also claimed it was time for the dancer, 54, to 'give up the dance shoes',.
Speaking on Thursday's edition of This Morning, Craig said of Bruno: 'We were talking about whether he is going to be able to fly backwards and forwards [from his LA home]. And of course he can't. It's just too risky I think at the moment.
Honest: Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood said on Thursday he was 'over the moon' that Anton Du Beke will be a judge on series 19 as he claimed it was time for him to 'give up the dance shoes'
'So delighted when Anton got the job, I was over the moon. In fact I spoke to him on the way to the studio here today and he's super excited, as we all are.
'And isn't it about time, darling? I mean there is a point in your life where you have to give up the dance shoes and hang them up at some stage. So he deserves it, and he's great.'
And when Holly Willoughby pointed out that Anton 'knows the show inside out', Craig agreed and added: 'Well of course! He's original.'
However, Craig stressed that the change for this year doesn't mean Bruno - who has featured on the programme since its launch in 2004 - is on his way 'out' permanently.
Exciting: Earlier in the day, Anton was named judge Bruno Tonioli's replacement as he can't take part due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding travel restrictions caused by COVID-19
Happy for him: Craig said, 'I was over the moon. In fact I spoke to him on the way to the studio here today and he's super excited, as we all are. 'And isn't it about time, darling?'
Candid: Craig added,'I mean there is a point in your life where you have to give up the dance shoes and hang them up at some stage. So he deserves it, and he's great'
He said: 'You know, Bruno's not "out" out in that way, he may come back next year, who knows? But I'm so delighted to welcome Anton onto the panel.'
The BBC confirmed Bruno, who is the longest-serving pro dancer on the show, will make the step up to a judging seat this year for the entire series following a successful two-week stint as a panellist last year.
He will replace Tonioli, who will not be able to take part in the 19th series due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.
Promotion: The BBC confirmed Bruno, who is the longest-serving pro dancer on the show, will make the step up to a judging seat this year for the entire series
Anton, who will join returning judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood, said: 'My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno's brogues for the next series of 'Strictly'.
'It's a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.'
The announcement was made via the
