Why does he put up with Strictly ?
Must be only for the money.
Once again partnered with a OAP who stands no chance of winning.

He had his best chance of winning in years last series and made 4th place. I'm not surprised he's got the oldest lady this year.

He's lucky to be back as a pro if anything.

Pension fund addition perhaps?

Len's replacement I reckon.

Hope not, not a fan of some of his dancing and all of his jokes.

True. He's already started his nonsense. When he picked Lesley up I predicted that he wouldn't put her down until WAY past the point he'd embarrassed her, and lo and behold! Unpleasant.

Not sure but do hope this is his last year.

He'd be gone long time ago if he did not like it there. He's aware of his Latin limitations and he's clearly not that competitive. They need a dancer for ladies of a certain age and he's willing. They could not give them to younger dancers, they _are_ competitive and want a real chance to win. So he can stay as long as he wants to stay. I only hope he won't become the judge, that man loves the sound of his own voice.

He got lucky last year but, yes, business as usual this series. I think he accepted his role as comedy relief a long time ago though and plays to that. Probably his last series too.

Word.

He's lucky to even be taking part. He is way past his best and must enjoy playing the comedy buffoon. That is all he is these days.

The idea of him replacing Len is farcical, not that I even rate Len anyway. Time for a complete change in that line up.

Ditto

No idea how he came 4th last year.

He is the most unsympathetic pro IMO. As for pairing a younger pro with an older lady, I'm sure this has happened in the past (definitely with older man and younger lady pro). I know the pros are competitive but if they are there to teach then that should be their main aim.

Really not looking forward to him dragging Lesley around the dance floor as per usual.

Oh and as for taking Len's place - surely he hasn't got the expertise the panellists have (yes I know Alisha didn't have either). They'd have to hone up their acting skills even more, as spending any length of time with Anton would surely begin to grate!
Last edited by Angela_Davies : 04-09-2016 at 10:35

I expect because... it's reliable money; his presenting career didn't take off; he seems to enjoy it; it gives him three months of free publicity for his own tour.


He probably gave a little inner cheer when he was assigned his partner. I expect he's relieved, after working hard(er) last year, to go back to not bothering with latin and making his partner the butt of the joke. Lesley looked decent in the group dance. I feel sorry for her .

I feel sorry for him. He got a decent partner last year and did some fab dancing with her. He deserves better than to be treated like the nice guy who gets all the oldies.

His problem is that even the public see him as "Buttons."
So the pairing was inevitable, just as was Claudia's, getting the shortest male dancer.

Anton will now, never get a Cinderella.

Poor Anton

Poor Lesley having to put up with that wannabe comedian, it really is time they pensioned him off.
I find him really irritating....

Surely it is win win for Anton. If he gets Lesley further than expected (because she can move a bit) then he'll get lots of kudos for getting so far with the oldest ever female celeb. If he is out at the start he gets lots of sympathy and a fat pay cheque.

Nah, the biggest obstacle standing in the way of Anton is Anton.

I was watching and thinking 'poor Lesley' tbh. She's gonna get the usual Anton comedy shtick. I wanted her to have a blast with one of the newbies - AJ, preferably!

having seen how little he has improved his Latin for over a decade, how did you decide he deserves anything?

Very true. Also, he actually likes to get the 'comedy' act, it's much much easier to be able to resort to lots of silly gimmicks than it is to teach someone to dance properly, so he doesn't have to work so hard.

I suppose the powers that be think a clown deserves a clown as partner.
Shame for anton, but tbh he is past it now, a judges or co-presenter role is his future.

AJ? That seems wrong on so many levels....

Just wish the Anton luvvies would come to terms with the fact he has a particular niche within SCD, part of which is looking after the older ladies. Last year was his best chance and he blew it on a Ballroom dance of all things.

Move on, he will never get a contender.

Hi, Sid *waves*

No, not AJ. That's just ever so slightly cringeworthy. *shudders* Neil, perhaps, seeing as he doesn't have a partner this year.

I also wouldn't have minded if Lesley had been paired with Kevin like she wanted but there wasn't exactly anyone else for Anton. I think Lesley and Anton will have a hoot together, but I'd have liked to have seen what she could have done with a pro who would actually have bothered to teach her. And she said she was looking forward to learning the Latin, which isn't exactly going to happen now.