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Anton Du Beke Reveals Why He Stood by Giovanni Amid Bullying Claims: A Friendship Tested

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Anton Du Beke is attempting to guide me on how to play golf, a sport he adores nearly as much as dancing. “Bend at the waist now,” he advises, and I attempt a swing, but fail to connect with the ball. “That was fantastic!” he says, but I didn’t make contact! “No, your movement was graceful though.

It’s fortunate that these events are confined to a high-tech golf club beneath Soho streets. The game is projected onto a screen, but the clubs and balls used are authentic. Things are progressing well.

Anton is here accompanied by his team from their fresh podcast titled “Putt & Strut”. In this engaging conversation, he and Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk converse with notable figures such as Judy Murray, Jodie Kidd, and James Nesbitt about their passion for the sport that’s momentarily driving me up the wall.

At last, I got one! Anton exclaims excitedly, ‘Wonderful, my dear!’ He appreciates my praise, for he’s a skilled instructor indeed – just look at how he made Ann Widdecombe dance gracefully across the floor. “Thank you,” he responds modestly, “It seems we found some progress in the end.

Anton’s optimistic, constructive demeanor on Strictly Come Dancing is why many people consider him a favorite judge. He often emphasizes ‘positive reinforcement.’ However, this style raises questions about the BBC’s flagship show, as allegations have surfaced that some professional dancers, including Anton’s close friend Giovanni Pernice, have adopted an unfriendly approach towards their celebrity partners.

Amanda Abbington, the actress who played Sherlock’s partner, expressed that Giovanni’s behavior was ‘uncalled-for, abusive, harsh, and unkind’ during their time working together on the show. However, only six out of her seventeen complaints were validated following a nine-month BBC investigation. The investigation concluded that Giovanni had used verbal bullying and harassment, including inappropriate language, but there was no evidence of physical aggression. I need to talk to Anton about this, as he’s planning to tour with Giovanni (who Anton refers to as Gio) this summer.

It’s evidently challenging for him, yet Anton has unwaveringly supported his companion. They embarked on a tour together last summer amidst the allegations. Despite his polished gentlemanly persona being meticulously cultivated over time, one might wonder if he considered distancing himself from his friend by ending their association. However, Anton seems to believe that such critical decisions should not be made in times of crisis. ‘No,’ he says, ‘such choices aren’t to be made, are they? You don’t make choices like that at moments like that.’

Given that the investigation was ongoing, how did the crowd respond to them? The audiences were ecstatic. Every venue was packed. I’d like to believe they came to see me, but I suspect they were eager for Giovanni too. It seemed that the most exciting part of the show was when we were on stage pretending to read a newspaper in our undergarments. While I was worried about catching a chill, Giovanni thrived in the applause and cheers from the audience. There was a palpable affection for us during that tour and we’re both excited about reuniting again in June.

While on tour with a dance company, the Sicilian felt incredibly gratified. He admitted that he was overjoyed to be part of this experience, because if he had been left alone in a hotel room or his apartment, without companionship and having to deal with everything independently, the situation could have turned out very differently for him.

In a straightforward manner: He seemed to be gazing at me intensely, as if he wanted to convey that what he had to share was crucial. It appeared Anton was deeply worried about his friend’s mental well-being and the potential consequences if the friend felt alone under stress. Interestingly, it turned out that being with us on tour might have been the best solution for him. Was Gio’s performance a comforting diversion for him? To some extent, yes. However, I can tell you that it was a challenging period for Gio and I’m relieved he chose to spend it with us rather than alone.

He laughed, saying, ‘All I could manage was being his friend. I couldn’t help but suggest a game of golf, but unfortunately, he wasn’t good at it. It might have made things worse for him. So, we simply put on a performance instead.’

The duo, with a gap of over twenty years between them (Giovanni at 34 and Anton at 58), formed an unexpected bond when Giovanni entered Strictly in 2015. Anton expressed his gratitude towards the older man for taking care of him during his initial days in Britain, calling him one of his best, if not his closest friend. In fact, they collaborated on a travel series in Sicily, where Giovanni introduced Anton to his hometown, Palermo. The emotional highlight came when Hannah and their twins, George and Henrietta, unexpectedly joined the island gathering, bringing both families together.

After completing another travel series in Spain, showcasing their easy camaraderie, Anton found himself pondering when allegations arose. Did he trust Giovanni and think everything would be fine? There was a significant pause as he contemplated his response. However, since he wasn’t present at the time of the incident, all he could do was comment on what he observed, which was their performance during Saturday night’s event – a performance that suggested they were producing impressive results together. He emphasized the significance of not passing judgment on something without having firsthand knowledge of the situation.

Right, my question was if Gio shared his feelings with him specifically at that point. Well, yes, he did share some support during that time, but it wasn’t the detailed, play-by-play sharing of conversations or news updates. It wasn’t like ‘This is what I said, this is what she said,’ or ‘The BBC said this, they didn’t say that.’ Instead, it was more about the daily friendship support he provided when Gio was dealing with press issues and then going on to perform. So, it was a more general form of support.

Has Anton expressed his desire for Giovanni, who didn’t make it to the 2024 Strictly line-up, to reappear in the show? Sure, I’d love to see Gio again, if given a chance. You know, Aljaz returned too.

Anton hints that he isn’t sure but is hopeful, stating, “It wouldn’t be surprising if someone came back.” Aliona and Nicole Cutler have made comebacks in the past, each with their unique situations, proving that people do return to Strictly.

Since they continue to tour together, it seems clear that Anton longs for his friend Gio to return under the glitterball. Yet, it is important to note that the producers don’t solicit opinions from the judges about these types of decisions. In other words, even though I might have an opinion on who should or shouldn’t be there, the producers make those choices without consulting us.

Anton frequently casts his eyes towards the tranquil virtual golf course on the screen, indicating his preference for discussing golf over the current situation. He discovered his passion for golf at the age of 14 when a man from his dance class introduced him to the game. “He provided me with clubs and taught me how to play,” Anton recalls, “and since then, I’ve been in a romantic relationship with golf.

Anton’s dad, named Antal, was Hungarian and struggled with alcohol. On one unfortunate Boxing Day, after an argument, he ended up stabbing young Anton in his leg and stomach. In contrast, his mother Conchita hailed from Spain. They resided in a council house in Sevenoaks, Kent. Due to financial constraints, Anton didn’t have the means to join a golf club. Instead, he made do with various clubs people had given him as hand-me-downs and an assortment of balls that he found.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share a not-so-proud story from my past. My friend and I, in our quest to enjoy golf, found ourselves in an unconventional situation. We lived nearby a course, and every chance we got, we’d sneak onto the second hole, and exit after the 17th green, always mindful of the greenkeeper. This clandestine activity allowed us to play, albeit without paying for it. It was an unusual solution to our desire to experience golf firsthand.

As a youngster, Anton admired a golf tournament broadcasted from Wentworth on television, and that sight stirred his dreams. He found the scene enchanting, almost paradisiacal. Intrigued, he developed an affection for Wentworth, considering it the epitome of heavenly spots.

As an ardent admirer, I’d rephrase it as: I escaped my turbulent past, danced my way to ballroom triumph alongside Erin Boag, modeled my style on Fred Astaire, captivated the nation on Strictly Come Dancing, released an album, penned a collection of romantic novels, and even had the privilege of playing at Wentworth with two idols, Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman – a former Strictly judge. Ten years ago, I achieved one of my lifelong dreams by becoming a member there, and it remains my most cherished spot on earth.

In addition, it’s the place where he encountered his spouse, Hannah, in 2012. This occurred at a significant British charity golf event, which culminated in an elegant black-tie gathering in the evening. As he scanned the room, he spotted her across the table and exclaimed to himself, ‘Oh, my!’ He smiles vividly as he recalls their conversation and discovering that she wasn’t his wife or girlfriend at the time. ‘Well, that was the signal for the fun to start!’ he chuckles, flashing a grin. ‘And that, my friends, was the commencement of the remainder of my life.’

George and Henrietta were born through IVF treatment in March 2017, and in just a month from now, they will turn eight years old. It’s interesting to note that despite being siblings, we don’t typically view them as twins because they have distinct personalities.

Initially, people may express sympathy for the challenges of raising multiples, but that empathy often fades over time. However, Anton takes it all in stride, stating that he finds managing two children closer in age more complex than dealing with siblings who have a larger age gap. He uses an example to illustrate this point: managing an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old would be more difficult because their needs and wants differ significantly, which he describes as a completely different scenario compared to raising multiples.

By the way, it’s worth mentioning that he also made sure to introduce Hannah and the children to his favorite pastime – golf. Last year, over the Easter break, we were vacationing in Tenerife, and as a family, we all played a game of golf together. That truly was a dream come true.

If his children grow up to dislike the things he cherishes, such as dancing, he suggests boarding school as a solution, stating that there would be nothing for him in that scenario. However, he assures us that this is just a joke, as luckily they have a passion for performing. He was even at His Majesty’s Theatre during the holiday season, where they joined him on stage to sing a song with the band.

On weekends, his schedule is filled with activities like rugby, gymnastics, and piano lessons for the kids. He acknowledges their busy schedule but prefers not to come across as overbearing. Instead, he believes in exposing them to various experiences so they can discover what truly captivates them, which aligns with his philosophy: ‘Try a variety of things, and you’ll naturally gravitate towards what you love.’

1. Is it true that he takes his child to school? – Yes, I did so this morning.

2. Are the mothers and others usually overly affectionate towards him at the school entrance? – No, not anymore. Initially, there were a few glances, in the beginning, but those have ceased.

Nowadays, he might extend invitations for them to play golf with Hannah, as his podcast is geared towards inspiring more women to participate in the sport. He expresses that many women are deterred from playing before they even have the chance, which he finds unfortunate and regrettable. His goal is to ensure that both his wife and future daughter feel at ease when visiting golf clubs. This is a matter of great importance to him.

Each time he flashes that Anton Du Beke smile, I can’t help but envision him presiding over the clubhouse, sharing stories of camaraderie and life as much as sports. ‘Occasionally, you might strike one perfectly, right from the heart of the clubface, but more often than not, that doesn’t happen. That’s alright. What truly matters is to maintain a positive outlook!’

Listen to “Putt & Strut” hosted by Anton Du Beke and Sarah Stirk, available right now on Global Player and all popular podcast services!

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2025-02-21 15:21

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