Shirley Ballas reveals prank ‘naughty’ Anton Du Beke played on her during Strictly tour

Shirley Ballas has opened up about what it is really like working with Anton Du Beke on Strictly Come Dancing —and it sounds like he is a real hoot.

Du Beke, 56, first joined the show in 2004 as a professional dancer and has proved a popular addition since swapping the dancefloor for the judges panel in 2021.

For the first time, he joined Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood as a judge for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour this year.

Reflecting on the experience on an upcoming episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, Ballas hailed Du Beke for his humour as she recalled a “naughty” prank he pulled on her.

She said: “It was an amazing experience. Anton Du Beke was on it this time — that man is so funny.

“He comes across as the perfect gentleman, but he’s very naughty behind the scenes.

“He came to my dressing room [and] I had my big girl Marks & Spencer knickers out. The next thing I know, we’re on set and he pulled them out of his top pocket and started to wipe his head with them… good job theywere clean, eh?”

Elsewhere in the episode, Ballas again refused to confirm or deny reports that she is quitting her role as head judge on the BBC dance competition, saying: “Well… I do believe it’s in the process. Is that the right way to say it? Yes.. their people are talking to my people.”

She also shared her excitement about the upcoming release of her debut crime novel series, The Sequin Mysteries, with the first of two books, Murder on the Dance Floor, out on October 12.

Hinting what fans can expect, she said: “It’s loosely based on every story that I’ve witnessed that’s gone on in my industry, but with fictitious characters. Some of it’s fun, some of it’s really intriguing, very sensual.”

The Jonathan Ross Show airs Saturday at 21:50pm on ITV1 and ITVX.