‘I’ve stepped into Anton’s shoes now!’ Strictly pro Neil Jones, 39, wants to take over 55-year-old Du Beke’s ‘statesman’ role on the show now that he’s the oldest of the male dancers

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Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has revealed he wants to take over Anton Du Beke’s ‘statesman’ role on the show now that he’s the oldest of the male dancers.

The dancer, 39, seemed optimistic about recreating Du Beke’s graceful aura on the ballroom floor, saying: ‘I’ve stepped into Anton’s shoes now’. 

It comes as Du Beke stepped down from his 17-year reign as a dancer on the series, taking over Bruno Tonioli’s place on the judging panel at the age of 55. 

Big shoes to fill: Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has revealed he wants to take over Anton Du Beke’s ‘statesman’ role on the show now that he’s the oldest male dancer

The star, who is currently paired with Nina Wadia, told The Mirror: ‘I’m now the oldest of the male pros. I’ve stepped into Anton’s shoes now he’s gone to the judges.

‘So, I’m turning 40 next year and I just wanted to try and get myself in better condition. So I’ve got to be taking care of myself a lot more.’

‘I’m going to be the statesman of Strictly now,’ he promised.

‘Statesman’ role: The dancer seemed optimistic about recreating Du Beke’s (pictured) graceful aura on the ballroom floor, saying: ‘I’ve stepped into Anton’s shoes now’

Neil now has to train at the gym five days a week in a bid to keep up with his fellow, younger dance comrades on the show. 

‘All the other guys, like Gorka and Giovanni, they’re all young. Even while we’re doing the show and training, I still go to the gym in the morning as well.’ 

It comes as his partner Nina revealed that her exhausting training regime on the show has resulted in her already dropping a couple of dress sizes.

The soap star, 52, said approximately six hours of training is what was initially offered, but it’s likely to be bumped up to almost double this time in order to get ‘everything done.’

Hard to keep up: Neil now has to train at the gym five days a week in a bid to keep up with his fellow, younger dance comrades on the show

Nina remarked: ‘It’s ridiculous how quickly the weight just drops off you after a bit of dancing. 

‘I’m trying to balance so many things… the last thing I want to worry about is the actual dancing.’

The EastEnders actress, who took on the role of Zainab Masood from 2007 to 2013 in the famous soap, admitted that remembering choreography is a ‘different memory’ to that of learning lines, which she is accustomed to. 

The pair will tango to the Eurythmics’ Would I Lie to You? on Saturday at 6.45pm.

Impressive: It comes as his partner Nina revealed that her exhausting training regime on the show has resulted in her already dropping a couple of dress sizes

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