Strictly judge Anton du Beke has shared the sweet way he honours Bruce Forsyth (Image: PA)

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton du Beke has shared the sweet way he honours late BBC host Bruce Forsyth every Christmas. The beloved ballroom dancer has been part of the ballroom show since its inception in 2004. Over the past two decades, he has danced with some of the biggest names in TV, before leaving his professional dance partner role behind for a spot on the judging panel in 2019.

Over the years, the show has undergone some major changes, but arguably none more show than when Bruce Forsyth retired from the programme back in 2015. Claudia Winkleman stepped in as host for the broadcaster alongside long-serving presenter Tess Daly, with the dynamic duo set to leave the show after 21 years this Christmas.

The late Strictly host gave the TV judge one of his signature waistcoats (Image: BBC)

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The TV presenter sadly passed away just two years later at the age of 89, and his love reached every member of the cast and crew. Now, du Beke has shared one of the fond ways he remembers the late broadcaster every year.

During a performance of his new UK tour, Christmas with Anton and Friends 2025 at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, the 59-year-old judge gave viewers an insight into one special piece in his wardrobe.

Walking on stage in a festive red waistcoat, he told the audience: “This is my Christmas waistcoat on, and I’ll tell you why. I was wearing a suit for one of the Christmas specials, and I didn’t particularly like it; it didn’t particularly fit well, and I was having a bit of a moan backstage.

“Anyway, I bumped into Bruce, and he said, ‘Oh, wear this then’, and I said, ‘I can’t wear your waistcoat’, and he said, ‘Of course you can!’. So this is on a loan, don’t tell anyone, but now I wear it every Christmas.”

Christmas with Anton du Beke is currently on tour in the UK (Image: PR Handout)

The doting dad added that despite competing in several Christmas specials over the years, the festive competition is his favourite because it gave him a “second chance”.

He chuckled: “The Christmas special is my favourite of all the Strictly shows. If you get voted off early, you get another partner for the Christmas special, and I’ve done a lot of Christmas specials.

“One year, I wanted to do a nice Foxtrot to Dreaming of a White Christmas, and they gave me my dance partner, who was Sue Pollard. I remember I had four of the pro boys carry her out on a Chaise Lounge as she threw out Christmas gifts while I danced on the show. They asked, ‘When should we put her down? I said Boxing Day!”

You can book your tickets to see Christmas with Anton du Beke via the musicals on tour website. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays from 6.20pm on BBC One, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.