Was Gillian Taylforth axed because men hate Anton Du Beke?

Monday, 29 September 2008

Bookies alarmingly predicted this weekend's demise of Gillian Taylforth before she even performed on Strictly Come Dancing.

Barely two weeks into the new show, the bookmakers were offering very short odds on the EastEnders veteran following fellow Albert Square favourite Phil Daniels out of the exit door.

But one credited her downfall to slightly annoying professional partner Anton Du Beke.

William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams said last week: "The early rounds are difficult to call but we fancy Gillian will go because male views find Anton by far the most irritating of the male dancers."

Anton Du Beke and Gillian Taylforth in the Strictly Dance-off (WENN image)

Anton - whose real name is Anthony Beke - has become something of a celebrity himself in recent months with his occasional quips on Strictly landing him a place on Question Of Sport and even a team captaincy on brand new Saturday evening light entertainment show Hole in the Wall.

But whatever he appears on, Anton - who looks like a younger Bruce Forsythe with - comes across as very cheesy and is the main reason, according to the bookies, that his partner Gillian was given the red card by viewers this week.

Ex-England rugby star Austin Healey is the current favourite to win the show.

When asked who her fave dancer was after a male group performance on Saturday, judge Arlene Phillips said of him: "I am going for my Austin!"

But who cares about Arlene? We want to know what YOU think...

Strictly Come Dancing photo gallery.

Image Credit: WENN