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Anton Du Beke stepped into Motsi Mabuse’s shoes when the Strictly Come Dancing judge was forced to miss the live shows after taking an “urgent” trip to Germany. The King of Ballroom has been a professional on the show since the very first series and will continue his temporary foray into judging on tonight’s show. However, former pro James Jordan has revealed he thinks the appointment should be made permanent as Anton will “never win” the show.

Speaking to Ladbrokes as their Strictly Come Dancing ambassador, James gave his verdict on Anton being a judge. 

The former Strictly pro remarked: “He brings some natural humour to the panel. 

“I think he’s very quick-witted and a little bit Len-esque as he’s got the gift of the gab. 

“I thought it was a very difficult position for him to be in, to go on there for just two weeks because he can’t slate them all or say anything too negative as last week he was dancing with them.”

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“I think he would be a great addition to the panel. I don’t why the [BBC] didn’t just choose him anyway when they knew Bruno wouldn’t be doing it this year,” James said. 

“Neil [Jones] could’ve danced on the show and had Anton on the panel. 

“I’m not sure Anton will ever win Strictly now, he’s done his service on the show and he’s been there from the very beginning.

“He’s more than qualified to be sat on the panel and I think fans want him on the panel.”

“Sometimes it shouldn’t always be what the producers want, it should be what the people want at home watching it,” James explained. 

“It’s the natural progression for Anton to become a judge, he could even have a hosting role if the [BBC] don’t want him dancing.

“It would essentially be a promotion for him as normally the professionals that leave do not get that opportunity.”

“I think he’s the perfect person to become a permanent judge,” he added.

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Sharing his thoughts on the next celebrity to leave, James said: “It’s probably between JJ and Caroline for me. 

“I think Ranvir had a very weak dance last weekend and in my opinion, based on the dancing, she should have gone. 

“But she is obviously very popular with the public, she’s a non-dancer who is doing a great job but any rhythmical dances she gets she is going to really, really struggle with. 

“If she doesn’t do any rhythmical dances for a while – which I imagine she won’t be – Ranvir will stay in the competition for quite some time.

James continued: “I can’t see Maisie being in the bottom two again, she ought to be too high up the leaderboard, so it’s probably more middle-of-the-road dancers who will face the dance-off. 

“Caroline doing the Cha Cha on Saturday worries me, because of her ballet background I think she would be much more suited to a Rhumba – that would be beautiful to watch. 

“There’s lots of hip action in the Cha Cha, it’s quite earthy and grounded which is everything she’s not I’m afraid, so my gut feeling is she will be very stiff during the Cha Cha. 

“It’s going to be a tough week for Caroline,” the former pro concluded.

James Jordan was speaking to Ladbrokes as their Strictly Come Dancing ambassador. Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One tonight at 7.15pm.

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