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Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke mocks Shirley Ballas after mistake live on air

"Why are you staring at me?"

BBC

Published: Saturday, 17 October 2026 at 8:52 pm

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Strictly Come Dancing is, first and foremost, about the dancing, as famous faces learn to Waltz, Cha Cha and everything in between with guidance from their professional partners.

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But we also tune in for good-natured jibes and banter, and there was plenty of both on tonight’s show, Saturday 17 October, as the Strictly stars celebrated Icons Week.

First, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe left fellow presenter Josh Widdicombe shaking his head with their icon reveal joke.

Josh claimed Emma was his icon, Emma chose Johannes, and Johannes picked Sir David Attenborough.

"Unbelievable," said Josh, who was thoroughly unimpressed.

Then it was Anton Du Beke’s turn to mock fellow judge Shirley Ballas.

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Shirley was giving Bethany Antonia feedback following her Cha Cha to Respect by Aretha Franklin, performed with partner Nancy Xu.

"I think you're actually quite a force to be reckoned with," she said. "I think we've just tapped the iceberg with you. But you've got some great fluidity, so do not lose that," she said before turning to Anton.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.

"'Tapped the iceberg', I enjoyed that," he teased.

It proved to be a particularly amusing exchange, given Shirley was dressed as Lady Gaga, while Anton had come to Icons Week dressed as Noel Gallagher.

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"I think we should tap it," he continued to jest as Shirley giggled and playfully pushed Anton. "We're gonna tap that iceberg."

"Has someone got a bucket of water we can throw at Anton and Shirley?" chimed in Josh, attempting to move things along. "What is going on with you two tonight?"

Josh, welcome to the Strictly ballroom.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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