The Strictly Come Dancing professionals have welcomed Anton Du Beke’s promotion to the judging panel for the upcoming series. 

The likes of Oti Mabuse, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec and Graziano Di Prima posted congratulatory messages after it was announced Anton will replace Bruno Tonioli as a regular judge this year. 

Bruno is unable to fulfil his commitment to the BBC ballroom show as travel restrictions mean he cannot appear on Strictly and the US version at the same time. 

Following the official announcement of Anton’s new role after 17 years as a pro dancer, Oti posted on Instagram: “He made it! JUDGE @mrantondubeke super proud of you Anton and so happy!

“Feels like positivity is in the air – everyone gets what they’ve wanted and hoped for for years and it’s a beautiful sight to see with the @bbcstrictly first @jmanrara now @mrantondubeke nothing but joy and pride for both of you we will miss you Anton in rehearsals- you were my first ever strictly professional partner but it will be better to see you doing what you love #strictly.”

Strictly host Tess Daly commented on Oti’s post: “You beauty Anton!”

Johannes tweeted: “This is amazing news!!! my oh my we’ll miss our @BrunoTonioli.”

Graziano posted on Instagram: Youuu Made it!! New Judge on @bbcstrictly!!
So proud of you!! The one and only @mrantondubeke.” 

Janette Manrara, who has quit her role as a pro dancer on Strictly to replace Zoe Ball as the new host of spin-off It Takes Two, wrote: “Yes yes yes!!!!! What wonderful news!! CONGRATULATIONS @mrantondubeke on becoming our new judge on @bbcstrictly 

“So many amazing years on the dance floor, and now a truly deserved spot on that infamous desk! Just so ‘chuffed’ for you!!! Love you to bits and cannot wait to see you in action.”

Her husband Aljaž posted a video of him and Anton and wrote: “Yes Yes Yes! Massive congratulations to @mrantondubeke for becoming a new judge on @bbcstrictly.

“First I am beyond happy for you! But than I am gonna miss rehearsals with you more than u know. Every day something that we would be laughing to or at. U’ve been such a role model of mine since I came to UK and I am proud to call u a friend.

“Already last season for a couple of weeks u showed how incredible u will be as a judge and now to get to be judged by u every week it is a privilege and bliss.

“Ps. Every single dance of yours on Strictly I would score a 10. At least 9….. Food for thought.”

Karen Hauer posted on her Instagram Story: “Massive congratulations to this amazing, funny, hard working human. Beyond happy! It’s about time you’re a judge baby!!”

Gorka Marquez shared on his Instagram Story: “So happy to see Anton as a judge this series.” 

Nancy Xu added: “Our king of the ballroom. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! IT’S GONNA BE AMAZING.”

“Dust off that 10 paddle,” Dianne Buswell wrote on her Instagram. 

In a statement about his new role, Anton said: “My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly.

“It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.”

Addressing his absence, Bruno joked: “Whilst I am gutted to not be on the show this year there is one person and one person only that could take my place – it’s just a shame they weren’t available… haha!”

Bruno added: “Darlings I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Seriously though, I have to tell you, Anton is Mr Strictly and if anybody is filling in for me, it has to be him.

“I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way and I am so excited to see him waggle his paddle.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn. 

Cabinet ministers have piled pressure on Boris Johnson to lift all legal Covid restrictions in England on July 19.

Environment secretary George Eustice suggested the legal requirement to wear masks in certain places should be gone on July 19, while Jacob Rees-Mogg said the date must be an “end point” to restrictions.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak meanwhile told the Times CEO Summit it was his “strong expectation” that restrictions will be scrapped next month.

Their comments appeared at odds with Downing Street, which said “no final decisions” have been made on whether all restrictions would be lifted on that date.

It comes after the prime minister delayed step four of his road map out of lockdown from June 21 to July 19 while insisting the new date was a “terminus”, suggesting there would be no more delays.

Discussing what restrictions might be in place from then, Eustice said he hoped to be able to ditch his face mask

“Well, what we want to do on July 19, and the prime minister said that the data looks good to be able to have that end, is to remove all of the legal restrictions,” the environment secretary told Sky News.

“That’s all of the legal requirements to do things, to be taken away completely.

“Now, whether there will still be some people who might choose to wear masks or whether it may be advisory in some settings, that’s a separate matter.

“But the objective of that final stage is to remove the legal requirement to do these things.”

Asked if he would still wear a mask once restrictions end, Eustice said: “I wouldn’t, no.

“I have to be honest, once I’m told that it’s safe not to, I want to get back to normal. I think a lot of people will want to shed those masks.”

Meanwhile, Rees-Mogg was asked about the prospect of Covid certification being used after July 19.

The system could show whether people have tested negative for coronavirus or had the vaccine to allow them access to certain events and venues.

Conservative MP Chris Green (Bolton West) said he would have expected Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to have appeared before MPs to set out the arguments over the project – including the ethics, practicality or necessity of it.

Rees-Mogg replied in the Commons: “As I said last week, terminus is Paddington not Crewe.

“It is the end of the line, it is not an interchange and that must be the key part of terminus day.

“Lots of evidence has been gathered in relation to Covid status certificates. Final decisions have not been made, but the government will update the House on the road map as it continues.

“But his point on terminus is right, it is an end point and so it should be.”

Asked whether all restrictions would be lifted on July 19, the PM’s spokesperson told reporters: “It is right that obviously we want to get back to as close to normal as is possible post-step four.

“However, no final decisions have been taken about what measures are required.

“Those sort of issues fall under the certification reviews.

“No final decisions have been taken on those but we will set out the exact details ahead of step four.”

Asked whether Johnson hoped to “bin” his own face masks on July 19, his spokesman said: “That would depend. The prime minister, should there be any requirement for it in future, would happy to comply with them.

“But, as I say, no decisions have been taken on what will or will not be required in future.”

Pressed on why Cabinet minister George Eustice had been telling broadcasters all restrictions were likely to be lifted next month, Downing Street said the government “do want” to be able to get rid of as many curbs on freedom as possible.

The spokesperson added: “All I can say is that we continue to consider the latest data and we will take a final decision in due course.

“It is entirely right to say we do want to remove as many restrictions as are safe to do so once we take the steps to step four.”