Ann won't make the Strictly finals says Anton

Oct 31 2010 by Diane Parkes, Sunday Mercury

BALLROOM star Anton Du Beke has warned that popular partner Ann Widdecombe is unlikely take the Strictly Come Dancing crown.

Despite a dramatic Paso Doble on last night’s show, Anton said he expects the public will eventually vote off the 63 year-old ex-MP, and predicted that Ann wouldn’t be following in the footsteps of controversial former contestant John Sergeant.

“It is lovely for the show that there is something so entertaining but we will get to the stage where people may vote her off,” he told the Sunday Mercury.

“People who are quite accomplished dancers like Matt Baker and Kara Tointon will take over, the longer the competition goes on.”

But Anton is not giving up hope completely on the former minister, who has impressed fans with her spirit despite some harsh reviews from sharp-tongued judges including the show’s ‘Mr Nasty’ Craig Revel Horwood.

“Maybe she will continue to be swept along for a time,” Anton said.

“But we will never be top of the leaderboard with the judges, so we are at the mercy of the public. I don’t worry about it because I can’t control that.

“All I can control is what happens on the dance floor and hope that viewers enjoy it. After that, it is down to other people.”

Despite earning low scores from the judges, the public vote has seen Ann survive, with audiences instead choosing to oust Wolverhampton rapper Goldie, magician Paul Daniels and former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Her popularity with viewers has earned her the tag of “this year’s John Sergeant”.

Veteran BBC News correspondent Sergeant quit the 2008 show after a string of poor performances were panned by the judges, but found favour with the public.