In a candid interview on Kate Garraway’s Life Stories, Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke opened up about a traumatic incident from his childhood that he had never discussed publicly before. Du Beke, who was born to a Spanish mother and Hungarian father, grew up on a council estate in Sevenoaks. It was there that he discovered his talent for dancing after accompanying his sister to a local studio.
Du Beke’s mother supported his newfound passion, but his father, Antal, spiraled into alcoholism and turned against him. Du Beke revealed that he experienced both verbal and physical abuse at the hands of his father, specifically targeting him because he was a young boy. The household was filled with alcohol-fueled fights, causing Du Beke to constantly move rooms in an attempt to escape the chaos. However, his father would follow him and the violence would escalate.
The situation reached a breaking point one evening when Du Beke ended up in the hospital for three days after being stabbed in the leg and stomach during a fight. The incident took place on Boxing Day, and Du Beke vividly remembers walking to the hospital, flagging down a passing police car, and informing them of his father’s violent actions. His main concern at that time was getting back to the dance studio and continuing to pursue his passion for dancing, despite the embarrassment caused by the incident.
Du Beke admitted that he never shared this traumatic experience with his family and friends because he didn’t see any benefit in revisiting the past. He has always been someone who looks forward and prefers not to dwell on the past. When asked about his leg injury, he would simply tell people that he had pulled a hamstring, unwilling to disclose the true cause of his injury due to embarrassment.
The dancer revealed that he changed his name from Tony Beke to Anton Du Beke as a way to start fresh and leave his troubled past behind. He wanted to embrace a new identity and move forward with his life, separate from the difficult upbringing he had endured. Du Beke made it clear that his motivation to succeed in his career was not driven by a desire for validation from his father. He never sought his father’s approval and pursued his dreams independently.
While Du Beke is known for his larger-than-life personality, he has always been private about his personal struggles. Kate Garraway, who got to know him during their time together on Strictly Come Dancing, described him as someone who brings joy to others but prefers to keep his own troubles to himself. However, he trusted Garraway enough to open up about his past, even revealing details he had never shared with his close family.
Du Beke’s honesty and vulnerability in discussing his childhood trauma demonstrate the strength and resilience that have propelled him to success. He transitioned from being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing to a judge, taking over the role previously held by Bruno Tonioli. In addition to his television career, Du Beke is also an author and will soon embark on his solo tour, An Audience with Anton Du Beke.
Overall, Du Beke’s interview on Life Stories shed light on a difficult period in his life and the determination that allowed him to overcome his difficult upbringing and pursue his passion for dancing. His story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to find joy and success despite adversity.
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