Strictly Come Dancing's Anton and Craig talk genuine friendship and the show’s three new hosts – and which one Craig expects to "dig" at him

This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.

Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood have been friends for more than 20 years, but still disagree on plenty of things – and not just when it comes to routines on Strictly Come Dancing.

Now, the ballroom dancing duo have teamed up for a new podcast, where no topic is safe and no opinion is too bold. So, which of them thought the other was a “git” when they first met?

When and where did you first meet?

Anton: The first time we met was the very first show of Strictly Come Dancing.

Craig: In May 2004.

Anton: You haven’t changed a bit.

Craig: Haven’t I?

In what ways have you seen each other change over the years?

Craig: I’ve seen you grow a lot, not only as a person but as a dancer, as a performer, as an entertainer. You were brilliant because you took up tap dancing and then mastered that. You took up singing and mastered that. You’ve got your own album out, so now you’re a real crossover entertainer.

Anton: Craig has obviously softened over the years for many reasons, but also, the thing you don’t know about Craig is he’s so generous with advice. If something’s good, he’ll say so, and if you need steering on something… the only person I really go to and ask about stuff is Craig, actually. He’s genuinely a kind person.

When did you realise you’d built a genuine friendship?

Craig: I think when we started touring together.

Anton: Before then I think. When we started touring together, we became closer, but before that I already had great admiration for you. I remember first coming to you and seeking advice, because I couldn’t think of anybody else I wanted to talk to about a particular situation going on in my life. That was the year after Anne Widdecombe [his celebrity partner on Strictly in 2010].

Craig: Actually, you’re right. That’s when I put your name and number in my phone book, and there you remain.

What’s the secret to a long-lasting friendship?

Craig: I think being honest. That’s what we are with each other. We’re very honest with each other, about each other.

Is there a quality you admire in each other that you wish you had yourself?

Anton: I think we’re both workaholics. We’re both a bit in love with this business we call show. But Craig has vision – he’s a wonderful director because he can stand at the back of the auditorium and looking in, he can see what needs to be done. If I could have one quality of his, it would be that.

Craig: If I could be as good a ballroom dancer as Anton, I would love it.

Your new podcast, Judgemental, sees you offer your opinion on everything from pop culture to petty dilemmas. While filming, have you ever caught yourselves judging each other?

Anton: I’m not even going to talk about socks and sliders.

Craig: We have very different opinions about fashion, primarily.

Is there an opinion you made about the other that turned out to be wrong?

Anton: I thought he was a git! Turns out, I was completely wrong.

Craig: I thought you were totally into yourself. Up oneself, I think I may have said. But that being said, you’re not. And that was a lovely surprise and as a friendship develops, you learn to trust one another a little bit more, don’t you?

Is there anything listeners will learn from the podcast that might challenge their expectations?

Craig: I think they will learn to love me because I’m not actually judging people on this! I’m not in a job here where I have to judge a dance routine or anything – it’s quite nice to just be myself, having a chat with a friend.

Who is more likely to change their mind after an argument?

Craig: I’m never likely to change my mind during or after an argument. However, Anton can be sweetened. You can get soft!

Anton: I never find myself in a situation where I get intransigent about anything. There’s always another side. Unless it’s a point of principle, it’s only opinion or taste. And then you can be swayed, and I’m always open to other flavours of arguing.

And finally, it would be remiss of us to not ask about the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. What was your reaction to the announcement of the new hosts?

Anton: We’re really excited.

Craig: I think they’re great! I love Emma [Willis] – she’s brilliant, totally, utterly professional and she listens to people, which is so important. I think Josh [Widdicombe] is going to be very funny – and have a bit of a dig, I’m sure, at me. And I think Jojo [Johannes Radebe] is going to be great. It’s so nice to have someone that actually knows everything about dance to host as well. The hosts generally know nothing about dance, so it’s going to be interesting to see what he comes up with, it’s going to be fun.

New episodes of the Judgemental podcast with Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood are released every Tuesday.

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