Anton Du Beke, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has candidly discussed his experiences with former dance partners, describing many as lacking the ability to dance well, particularly those he was paired with who were older. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, he emphasized that while he enjoyed working with these women, their dancing skills often left much to be desired. Du Beke remarked, 'I say this in the nicest way but none of them are 25... they can't dance, even when they are good it is awful.' Despite his blunt assessments, he stated that he only expected his partners to try their best. The discussion comes amidst recent controversies surrounding the show, including misconduct investigations involving other professionals. Du Beke, who has been a part of the show for two decades, expressed his intention to continue judging, reflecting on the need for a relaxed atmosphere during rehearsals.