Strictly’s Anton Du Beke throws his support behind Janette Manrara

‘I’m thrilled for HRVY but I’m really delighted for her’: Strictly’s Anton Du Beke throws his support behind Janette Manrara as she prepares for her first EVER final

Anton Du Beke has revealed he’d be thrilled if his close friend Janette Manrara scooped the Glitterball trophy in Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing finale. 

Appearing on The One Show on Wednesday night, the Strictly pro turned guest judge for this series, gave his thoughts on the four 2020 finalists: Bill Bailey, HRVY, Maisie Smith and Jamie Laing.

And while he showered the celeb dancers with praise, he admitted he’s most excited to see pro Janette reach her first ever final after eight years on the show.

In the final! Anton Du Beke has revealed he’d be thrilled if his close friend Janette Manrara scooped the Glitterball trophy in Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing finale

Janette is parterned with singer and YouTube star HRVY, with the pair wowing the judges and viewers with their routines since day one.

Despite her long history on the show, Saturday marks the first time Janette has made it to the final, after previously scoring her first ever perfect score during this series.

Anton gushed on The One Show: ‘I’m delighted from Janette, she’s been on the show eight or nine years now. If I said to you Janette had never made the final you’d go “really?”.’

Dance off king: Giving his critique for the other final pairings, Anton pointed out that Jamie Laing's four times in the dreaded dance-off has actually helped his performances

Dance off king: Giving his critique for the other final pairings, Anton pointed out that Jamie Laing’s four times in the dreaded dance-off has actually helped his performances

‘She’s so brilliant and does wonderful things with her male celebrities,’ he added. 

‘I’m thrilled for HARVY, he’s a super talent but I’m really delighted for Janette.’

Giving his critique for the other final pairings, Anton pointed out that Jamie Laing’s four times in the dreaded dance-off has actually helped his performances, explaining: 

‘Jamie is the king of the dance off, he dances better in the dance off, he just needs that extra motivation I think’.

Talented: As for EastEnders star Maisie, the youngest finalist this year, Anton believes she's a great all-rounder

Talented: As for EastEnders star Maisie, the youngest finalist this year, Anton believes she’s a great all-rounder

As for EastEnders star Maisie, the youngest finalist this year, Anton believes she’s a great all-rounder. 

‘I thought through the whole series that Maisie is actually a better ballroom dancer than she is Latin. You’d think the young and vibrant Latin, she’d be made for but she’sa beautiful ballroom dancer,’ he said, adding he was exciting to see the actress perform has Quickstep again in the final.

But there’s one finalist Anton said he’d love to have the chance to dance with himself – comedian Bill Bailey.  

The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on BBC One on Saturday night at 6pm. 

Fan favourite: There's one finalist Anton said he'd love to have the chance to dance with himself - comedian Bill Bailey

Fan favourite: There’s one finalist Anton said he’d love to have the chance to dance with himself – comedian Bill Bailey