Anton Du Beke warns 'one thing' would have 'stopped him joining Strictly'
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Strictly Come Dancing icon Anton Du Beke once toyed with the notion of becoming a professional golfer before his dance floor days took flight.
The talented 58-year-old, boasting an impressive handicap of one, merges his love for golf and chat in the all-new podcast 'Putt And Strut,' alongside Sky Sports host Sarah Stirk.
Reflecting on his alternate career path, he muses: "I could quite happily have taken it up as a profession if I'd stumbled into it before dance, because the two are very similar. You're always striving for the next level. You can't perfect golf, and dancing is the same thing."
His flair on the dance floor has undeniably polished his prowess on the green. He elaborates: "There's an element of correlation between golf and dance in motion, timing, rhythm and movement. It's about the hips.
"If I had gone down the golf route, I would've approached it with the same fervour as dance - but whether it would've paid off, well, that's another story", reports the Mirror.
Together with Sarah, aged 46, who recently challenged Mirror journalist Tom to a spell on the golf simulator, they aim to dispel golf's gender barriers through their show, featuring stars like Judy Murray and James Nesbitt.
Anton comments on the sport's intimidating reputation: "It's that hurdle, that intimidatory factor. Everybody feels like it's a very male-orientated sport, and it sort of is, but not."
The father of seven-year-old twins with his wife, Hannah, believes the golf course also serves as an excellent arena for his professional creativity.
He admits: "I don't do any sort of work at home... because of the children. So when I get on to the golf course, it's great. It's where I do everything. I learn lyrics, I think about dance styles, putting shows together."
Reflecting on cherished golfing moments, he fondly recalls games with the late, great Bruce Forsyth, his idol: "We played a lot of golf and not once did he let me win."
Daily Express