Anton Du Beke is replacing Bruno Tolioni as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing’s longest serving professional dancer, Anton Du Beke is to replace judge Bruno Tonioli on this year’s series.

BBC producers confirmed Du Beke’s appointment, as he revealed he is “thrilled” to be “stepping into Bruno's brogues”.

So, who is Anton Du Beke, why is Bruno not on the show this year - and when will Strictly’s 19th season commence? This is what you need to know.

Who is Anton Du Beke?

Du Beke was born in 1966 and grew up in Kent, one of three children born to a Hungarian father and Spanish mother.

Du Beke’s father was abusive and the pair became estranged as Du Beke became an adult.

At the age of 10, he started amateur dance lessons at the Holton School of Dancing in Sevenoaks.

He took his first dance exam at the age of 12 and when he was 16 years old, he left school to become an amateur dancer while also working as a salesman at ‘The Bed Post’ in South London.

Du Beke went on to become a professional dancer, His professional dance partner since 1997 has been Erin Boag.

In 2004, he joined the professional line up for BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. Despite being the only dancer to perform on every series of the show since it began, he has never won it.

The highest placing he has scored is third, in the first series, with soprano Leslie Garrett. His worst placing was in series six and 16, with actress Gillian Taylford and fashion guru Susannah Constantine respectively.

Also included in his partners are Patsy Palmer, former Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe and British tennis coach Judy Murray.