Strictly's Anton fears for his career

by Daily Gossip Oct 11th 2009 3:49AM

Strictly pro dancer Anton du Beke has spoken to pal about his fears for his career in the wake of the racial slur row.

The 42-year-old, who has made no secret of his desire to step in when Brucie retires, now believes that the BBC may dump him following pressure from the public, says the News of the World.

The Beeb have reportedly received more than 500 complaints and, despite making two apologies on the show, Anton is worried about his future.

A friend told the News of the World: "Anton sounded really shaken and upset. He admitted, 'I'm f*****d'.

"It didn't dawn on him at first how serious the situation was, but he certainly knows how. He realises that despite hanging on to his job for the time being, he could still be finished with the BBC in the long-term.

"The producers often quietly dump dancers between series."

Actress Laila Rouass has accepted Anton's apology over his use of the word "Paki" and the pair are doing well on the show.

But pals say Anton's father is to blame. One source said: "I'm surprised he knows how to converse with anyone considering the way his father treated him when he was growing up. His father was a big drinker and would speak to Anton like he was dirt.

"The fact is, Anton was an accident waiting to happen. He does say outrageous things and now he has been caught out."

But both Laila and Anton appeared to shrug off the race row last night as their foxtrot sent them to the top of the leaderboard.

Whether the Beeb will bow to public pressure remains to be seen.

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Oct 11th 2009 4:18AM

Helen commented:

User rating: Two thumbs down

I can't believe that the BBC has not sacked him already! I mean really? Do people still use that sort of racist language and expect there not to be consequences. At best the BBC is arrogant at worse it is condoning racism.

Oct 11th 2009 7:07AM

Roger commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Yes they do,for Gods sake grow up and get out in to the real World where People react to each other in many ways where no racial intent or feeling is implied.
Why is everybody so sensitive these days?

Oct 11th 2009 11:01AM

Susan commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

If you think Anton should be sacked you must live in a bubbble, so called normal everyday people use much worse language and a lot of them mean it. This was said in a private place and both have apologised and accepted that it was a silly mistake spoken in jest. For heavens sake leave Anton alone there are much worse things happening in the world to day to keep harping on about this.

Oct 11th 2009 3:58PM

Fi commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

You are entitled to your opinion but please find something more important to worry about. The BBC should not take any action and I think Anton will be suffering enough as a result of his faux-pas. There is definitive racism and there is jokey banter - do you really think in all seriouslness that this was the former? I lived in Germany as a child and as an army 'brat' the local germans didn't particularly like us - we were openly labelled "Insel Apfen" (sp?) or Island Monkeys which was meant callously and to hurt as they didn't want us there. Did we whinge? Did we complain? NO! We gave them their space and let them say what they wanted - they were bothered more than we were. The point is, we are all different - whether it be colour, race, religion, opinion - this will always be reason to differentiate. Just get real. Yes, said in malice, the word 'Paki' is horrid, but if you are intelligent you should know that this was not meant to hurt. Paki is also sort for Pakistani. Lets just all grow up shall we and concentrate on attacking those that really DO mean to hurt in the name of racism!

Oct 12th 2009 2:02AM

terry commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

There are many countries in this world and i bet most have some sort of slang for the others so why all the fuss, or is it just us stupid BRITS.I wonder if it would be the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

Oct 12th 2009 2:04AM

john commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

get a life woman..racism has always been and is here to stay.Paki is not offensive to a pakistani!!! join the real world ..

Oct 12th 2009 4:08AM

Nigel commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

BBC get with the people who understand reality - the rest is politics.

Anton said some stupid things (anyone you know who has not?). He has appologised, and Laila accepted. They are both "Grown ups". This is how it works in REAL life.

It really is NONE of our business now. There has been offence and it has been resolved between the two people involved.

Or should we have everyone casticated (and castrated) who wobbles from perfection?

There are over 1,000,000,000 people for whom a little bread and clean water would be everything. Focus People - Anton is not an issue.

Oct 12th 2009 4:39AM

Caroline commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

My goodness,you really must be saint if you put yourself in the position to judge people in such a way. What he said was highly inappropriate and he has apologised. Do you really believe it warrants losing job?

Oct 14th 2009 6:11PM

clevisgirl commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

I think words used throughout history evolve.
What is an insult today is history further down the line. What about bastard is it still the insult it was some years back? another is Taffy was a Welsh man taffy was a thief. Ask any normal taffy *are they bothered* and the answer will be no no and no again. Let the word grow up.

Oct 21st 2009 5:21PM

paula commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

get a life everyone says racist comment you lie if you havent

Oct 22nd 2009 2:52PM

think before you write commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

dear god, how did we ever win the war ?

get a grip. in this country, if you sneeze some drip gets offended. it is the INTENT that is the issue. not the best thing anton has said, but in australia we say "lookout here come the paki's"! in refenece to when we play test series against them- we LOVE them as a team and as a nation and RESPECT their sporting talent! it is simply a shortning of the full name of their country, in the same way they say aussie. i will repeat it one more time for the politically deranged - not anton's most aware comment, but it is INTENT that is the issue!

Nov 3rd 2009 12:38PM

jenny commented:

User rating: Thumbs up

Oh for goodness sake. Whites are called allsorts of names by ethnic groups, all of the time. But we cant cry discrimination. I dont think for one moment Anton meant it insultingly. Move on there are worse things happening in the world.

Oct 11th 2009 6:31AM

Debbie commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

The world has gone mad - talk abouy blown out of all proportion!! Why do the public feel they have the right to be judge, jury and executioner!

Oct 11th 2009 7:07AM

tina commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

this i would have to agree. do you have to watch every word you say today.its getting stupid. (can i actually say that)

Oct 11th 2009 7:02AM

MAUREEN commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

If his partner has accepted his apology why can't everybody else, I think it has been blown out of all proportion

Nov 2nd 2009 7:14AM

jm commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Thats right he made his opology it was accepted, move on. Why is everything made into a racist issue all the time, i thought it was short for parkistan its used in Australia with no big racist attachment. No why should Anton lose his job, SAD world if he does.

Oct 11th 2009 7:15AM

Pearl commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Please as Brucie said Get a life. I get so sick of people taking things out of context. 20yrs ago it would have been a passing remark the person concerned would have smiled and shrugged it off, but now we have to play the race card at the slightest little remark. What a sad society it has become.
Political correctness and the changing of names which have been the same for donkey years, banning toys, madness. Get real and leave Anton alone.

Oct 11th 2009 7:34AM

James commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

We all open our mouths from time to time and say something without thinking. I believe Anton ment no harm and apologized to Laila who is the only person that should feel offended. If he was always making remarks and offences it would be a differnt story. Lets hope he learns from this. He is very talented and brings a lot to the show.

Oct 15th 2009 2:18PM

cydney commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

I wonder if there would have been all this fuss if a situation had arisen where Anton had refered to a Welsh girl as Taffy or an Australian as Sheila, I doubt it.