Strictly Come Dancing fans have called for professional favourite Anton du Beke to be made a judge on the show following his elimination with former home secretary Jacqui Smith on Sunday evening.
This year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing is looking markedly different than usual, with a reduced studio audience and only three judges on the panel.
While Bruno Tonioli usually sits on the far right alongside fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, this year the lively 64-year-old remained in Los Angeles, where he is currently filming Dancing with the Stars, the US version of Strictly.
Despite Strictly viewers quickly having to get used to the absence of Bruno’s large presence, some have proposed that Anton take his place, given he and partner Jacqui were the first to leave the competition.
Anton has been a professional dancer on the show since the very first series.
‘Anton will 100% be the fourth judge next week,’ television presenter Richard Osman predicted on Twitter.
‘Make Anton a judge for the rest of the series please Strictly!’ someone else said.
Another Strictly fan said that while it was the ‘correct decision’ for him and Jacqui to be voted off the show following their dance-off against reality television star Jamie Laing and professional dancer Karen Hauer, the show ‘isn’t the same’ without Anton.
‘Make him the 4th judge!’ they added emphatically.
When contacted by Metro.co.uk, the BBC refused to comment on speculation about Anton being made the fourth judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Anton’s representatives for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 7.25pm on BBC One.