He was brought in as a judge on a temporary basis after Bruno Tonioli stood down from the role because Covid restrictions meant he could not appear both on the show and its US version, Dancing With The Stars.
And now, Craig Revel Horwood, 56, has branded Anton Du Beke, 55, a 'great addition' to the Strictly judging panel as the pair admitted that they do love playing 'Good Cop, Bad Cop.'
The stalwart judge cheered: 'long may it continue' of Anton being on the panel, after it was revealed that BBC bosses are split over whether to dump the newcomer and bring back Bruno, 66, next season.
High praise1 Craig Revel Horwood, 56, has branded Anton Du Beke, 55, a 'great addition' to the Strictly judging panel as the pair admitted that they do love playing 'Good Cop, Bad Cop'
Speaking to Best magazine, Craig said: 'Anton's a great addition, he knows the process of working with celebrities inside-out, he's been there.
'Particularly with celebs that haven't been 'gifted', he's had to manoeuvre them around that dancefloor – and he's been with great dancers, where he could show off his talents!
'Armed with all that information, he's showing great empathy for the celebs – he's more lenient than me. And he's funny. Long may it continue, he's a good egg, Anton.
'We're topping and tailing the ladies on the panel, poor things – except we're about five metres apart, plus there are Perspex screens! We have to lean forward to chat to each other, but that just adds to the fun.
Big fan! Craig cheered: 'long may it continue' of Anton being on the panel, after it was revealed that BBC bosses are split over whether to dump the newcomer and bring back Bruno Tonioli
He's a good egg! Craig said of Anton: 'He's showing great empathy for the celebs – he's more lenient than me. And he's funny. Long may it continue, he's a good egg, Anton'
'You can say, "Sorry, Anton, I didn't hear a word you said, darling..." We do love to play Good Cop, Bad Cop.'
Speaking about his first season as a Strictly judge, Anton gushed: 'Incredible. And don't ask me who's going to win because I genuinely have no idea!
'I like to think I've not been too soft, but I've been nicer than Craig, which isn't difficult. Though, as anyone who knows him will tell you, he's wonderful – a lamb in wolf 's clothing.
'I do enjoy that we book-end the ladies. A Craig and Anton sandwich. Now, there's an unenviable position for Motsi and Shirley...
'But the most important thing for me is to be involved in Strictly, because I love the show.'
Newest judge! 'I like to think I've not been too soft, but I've been nicer than Craig, which isn't difficult. Though, as anyone who knows him will tell you, he's wonderful' said Anton
Anton also spoke enthusiastically about spending New Years Eve at home with wife Hannah and their twins, and gushed about his children's 'gorgeous personalities.'
He said: 'We'll be at home, I'd wager. The babies are only four-and-a-half. Knowing them, we'll end up putting some Strictly-esque music on and they'll have us dancing around the living room, till they drop.
'They have a wonderful relationship, George and Henrietta, such a tight bond and gorgeous personalities. It's just pure joy to spend time with them. I can think of no better way of seeing in the new year.'
Proud dad: Anton also revealed he'd be spending New Years Eve at home with wife Hannah and their twins George and Henrietta, four, and gushed about their 'gorgeous personalities'
On his New Year's Eve plans, Craig explained: 'Well, because of Covid we don't have any big knees-up in the bar after the Strictly shows, which is what we'd normally do – and where you really get to know people.
'So, I'm hoping we can have a little bash in our new home, especially having spent Christmas in a one-bed apartment in Southampton as I'm in panto there!
'We'll have one day and night in the New Forest on the 25th with friends, if we can. I'm a keen cook, so I'll enjoy rustling up NYE party nibbles. I'm a very busy boy, anyway – it's straight into the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour in January.'
Looking to the future: On his big hope for 2022, Craig revealed how he's desperate for his first home with fiancé Jonathan to bee ready for them to move into
On his big hope for 2022, Craig revealed how he's desperate for his first home with fiancé Jonathan to bee ready for them to move into.
He explained: 'The house move to Stamford in the Midlands is taking its own torturous time, so I'd love someone to come along with a magic wand and go, "Oh, is this what you want?" and it's all done in seconds!
'The new place needs a lot of renovation, but I'm looking forward to that, because it's mine and my fiancé Jonathan's first home together.
'It's our pet project, once we have time to focus on it! It's got a pool, like my old place (a must, for parties!) but this time, we're going for more earthen tones.
'My home for seven years was quite minimalist, and stark – I lived amidst a lot of white and glitter! We're warming this one up and making it a more of a home than a show house.'
Temporary? Anton was brought in as a judge on a temporary basis after Tonioli stood down from the role because Covid restrictions meant he couldn't fly between the US and UK
Craig and Anton's interview comes after it was reported that BBC bosses are split over whether to dump Anton and bring Bruno back to the Strictly panel.
Bruno had previously flown between Los Angeles for US version, Dancing With The Stars and England for Strictly, but Covid restrictions meant he could not appear on both.
Sources at the BBC say that his decision to choose the role in the States, which is understood to pay him in the region of £800,000 rather than the £250,000 he was getting for his Strictly duties, means that some chiefs think their loyalty should lie with Du Beke.
They also fear that Anton might quit the show, which he has appeared on as a professional dancer since its inception, if he is axed from the judging panel.
Will he be back? Others view Tonioli as a Strictly superstar who is both adored and missed by the show's ten million
