Anton Du Beke has bravely opened up in a shocking new interview to reveal he was stabbed by his father as a child.
The popular TV figure – who has been a mainstay on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2004 as both a pro dancer and now a judge – has sat down with presenter Kate Garraway for her new Life Stories interview series this week to give a previously-unrevealed glimpse into his childhood and some of the traumatic things he experienced.
Seen fighting to hold back tears as he spoke, the 57-year-old told Garraway that his father Antal “took a turn” against him after being gripped by alcoholism, and even went as far as to stabbing him when he was living at their family home on a council estate in Kent.
Du Beke revealed that his father stabbed him in the stomach and leg on Boxing Day one time, and admitted that he has “never said this out loud before”.
Anton Du Beke on Kate Garraway’s Life Stories / Credit: ITV
“The alcoholism and the violence… [it was] towards me,” Du Beke told Garraway as he opened up, “Because I was a boy, a young man I suppose.
ADVERTISEMENT
“You’ve got an alcoholic father and a situation where if you’re in the house [he’s] drinking then you end up with the fights and stuff. You’d move room to get away from all of it and then he follows you in and the next thing you know the violence starts and then it came to a head one evening.”
Escaping after the attack, Du Beke confirmed that he managed to flag-down a police car as he walked to the nearest hospital clutching his leg.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, the professional dancer admitted to Garraway that he never told his wider family and circle of friends about the attack as he was “embarrassed” about it, and explained that he also never saw any benefit of speaking out.
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke has revealed he was stabbed by his late father.
'Speaking out will help people who have been victims of terrible domestic abuse.' @Kevin_Maguire
Viewers were informed that Du Beke’s father was cleared in court of the attack, and when he died, Du Beke did not attend his funeral.
In the aftermath of the event, the then-aspiring dancer decided to change his name “from Tony Beke, who grew up on a council estate” to “Anton Du Beke, The Show Man”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I wanted a new start and a new beginning,” he said.
“I wanted to leave what went before, behind, and then move on with the rest of my life, I just wanted to be me.”
Anton Du Beke’s episode of Kate Garraway’s Life Stories airs tonight on ITV at 9pm.
Featured Image – ITV
Trending
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’
Emily Sergeant
Curious kids, this one’s for you… Aldi is currently looking for little ones to become its first-ever wooden toy tester.
With the sun showing its face more regularly now, and the temperatures heating up by the day, summer is very much on its way, and it won’t be long before the mini Mancs are getting to spend more time playing outdoors than in – which is why Aldi is now on the lookout for one lucky child to become its official Wooden Toy Tester.
The supermarket retailer is calling on children across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – to apply by explaining why they should be chosen and what make-believe dish they would cook up in their very own toy kitchen.
The successful winner will receive a selection of Aldi’s latest wooden toys for free to make sure they have everything they need to feel like they’re the head chef of their own garden.
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’ / Credit: Aldi
All Aldi is asking in return is a short review of each of the toys, rating them on performance and fun factor to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on future product development.
In previous years, Aldi’s wooden toy launches have been so popular that the retailer has had to put a ‘two per shopper’ limit on purchases, so as you can imagine, this makes this adorable new job role even more in-demand.
“The nation’s love for our wooden toy range is undeniable, and our littlest shoppers are our most important critics,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.
“We’re excited to appoint our first ever Wooden Toy Tester, to capture their experience and find out what makes the perfect playtime set-up, guaranteeing lots of giggles and fun.”
Fancy it then? For a chance to win the role of a lifetime, little hopefuls simply need to send a one-minute-long video to [email protected] with their name, age, location, what makes them the perfect fit for the role, and what dish they wood make in their wooden kitchen.
Applications close on 5 May, and Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17 May.
Featured Image – Aldi UK
Trending
UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for new series
Emily Sergeant
Are you looking to move but finding the house hunting process a lot harder than you thought it would be?
Well, this could be the helping hand you need.
The UK’s biggest property show, Location, Location, Location – which has been a fixture in Channel 4’s schedule for more than 20 years at this point – is looking for house hunters from across Manchester for the new series.
First airing all the way back in 2000, if you’ve never seen Location, Location, Location, it’s fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer who head all across the UK to help buyers in search for their dream home.
Despite being on our TV screens for 26 years at this point, Kirstie and Phil have never tired in their efforts to match the nation’s hopeful house hunters with their perfect home.
For its next series being filmed this May, Channel 4 are now looking for individuals, families, and couples from Greater Manchester who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to find their next home.
The UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for its new series / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, first timer buyers, or looking for a forever home, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.
“We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year,” a spokesperson for Channel 4 said as the casting call was announced.
“Applications are now open and we’re looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd August 2023 
