STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke was called out for a blunder on the first live show of the series.
The fan-favourite BBC One star, who started life on the show as a professional before switching to the panel, made the slip-up when giving his take on one particular routine.
Anton, 59, was first up to give his analysis on 25-year-old content creator George Clarke‘s American Smooth.
Yet when he addressed his professional partner – new Strictly pro Alexis Warr, also 25 – he was corrected on a blunder.
American-born Alexis, who became the first Latin and ballroom dancer to win So You Think You Can Dance, has been given a celeb partner during her first year on Strictly.
Yet when Anton kindly welcomed her to the series, he mistakenly called her Alex.
During the feedback, host Tess Daly asked him of George: “Anton, is he a ballroom boy?”
He said in reply: “Well I can tell you he’s on the way isn’t he?
“That was rather splendid!” before he said: “Welcome, Alex, welcome to the show what a first dance for you both.”
Yet he was swiftly corrected by Tess and said: “Alexis! Apologies, Alexis.
“I have to tell you I rather enjoyed that.”
Anton then went on to give George advice on obtaining a “cleaner line” and alignment while performing, before praising him on his lifts.
NEPO BABY
His comments came after George had been branded a nepo baby by his professional partner.
YouTube star George is the son of Aardman boss Sean Clarke, who oversees the firm responsible for legendary stop motion animations Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
Fun George certainly isn’t losing sleep over the title though, instead he and Alexis have embraced it for laughs.
Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators will be showing off his dance moves on this year’s show.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston has signed up.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain.
- Eastenders actress Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has been confirmed.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, joins Strictly.
- Dani Dyer pulled out with injury and has been replaced by Love Island winner Amber Davies.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein became the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing
- I’m a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant.
- Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
A nepo baby is a title used to describe someone who gets a leg up in their career due to their powerful parents.
In a TikTok video, Alexis can be seen standing on bleachers with a makeshift fishing rod as she mimes along to a song by Bigfin.
Over the top of the clip are the words “me fishing for my celeb”.
The camera then cuts to prize catch George wriggling on the floor.
Alexis captioned the video: “Asked for a nepo baby and got a bite.”
Alexis and George performed an American Smooth[/caption]
Anton mistakenly called Alexis Alex instead[/caption]
