He is the only pro to have been on Strictly Come Dancing since the first ever show, and now the first dancer to be given a permanent place on the judging panel.
But that doesn’t mean Anton du Beke doesn't have any regrets - and there’s one big one which he says will always haunt him.
Despite his legendary status on the BBC hit show, the dancer, 55, has never actually won it.
Quoting the French singer of ‘Non, je ne regret rien’, Anton said: “Sadly I don’t care what Edith Piaf says.
“I never won it and it is a regret.”
During his record 18 years on the show, the highest place Anton achieved was coming in second with Emma Barton in 2019.
His second highest was in 2004’s inaugural season, when he came third with Lesley Garrett.
Among other celebs he partnered with were Esther Rantzen, Kate Garraway, Ruth Langsford, Patsy Palmer and Ann Widdecombe.
Anton diplomatically refused to say which of his famous partners he preferred, but insisted all of them should have gone all the way and taken the glitter ball home.
He said: “They were all marvellous. I enjoyed dancing and spending time with all of them, some did better than others, that’s all I can say.
“They were all robbed though, every one of them was robbed.”
And Anton, will be making the step up to a Strictly judging seat this year for the entire series following a successful two-week stint filling in for Bruno Tonioli as a panelist last year, admits the best thing about his new role is that he knows he will still be part of the show right to the final.
“The thing about the show that I’ve always found the most difficult is being voted off, and I’m happy that I won’t be voted off anymore.
“I love the show, and being voted off means you’re no longer in it and there’s no middle ground. I hate that, but it’s part of the show.
"Yes there are moments of sadness that I’m not dancing anymore, but no so much. I do hope to dance again in the show, perhaps in the group ensemble piece.
“But I’m loving being a judge and enjoying the role as a judge. It’s an opportunity to be able to help people. I want to help them because I know exactly what they’ve been going through.”
Anton, who will join returning judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, says he now has his sights set on another prize.
“The one I’m now hoping to win is the National Television Award for best judge, that’s the fella I’m after,” he said. “That’s the one I’m really after. If I won that then I’d be the happiest bunny in town.”
- Cooking With The Stars is on ITV, Tuesdays, 8pm
- Anton is currently touring the UK with Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice. For more information on the rescheduled ‘ Him & Me Tour’ click the link here. You can watch the trailer for ' Him & Me Tour' here.
