Strictly viewers shocked by this years pairings as Anneka Rice partners Kevin rather than Anton
Strictly viewers think Anton may actually be in with a shot at the Glitterball trophy (Picture: PA) ..
As Strictly Come Dancing 2019 kicked off on Saturday night, viewers expressed their surprise at a number of shock pairings as our new celebs met their professional partners for the first time.
While most of the couples revealed during Saturday nights launch show were pretty predictable (we all knew AJ was getting Saffron Barker), there were a few curve balls thrown in, most notably Anton du Beke.
As Strictlys longest serving pro, the 53-year-old ballroom champion is best known for partnering a bevy of bad-but-funny celebs Judy Murray, Nancy DellOlio and Anne Widdecombe on the show, usually progressing pretty far on comedy value alone.
However, after being the first person voted out of the 2018 competition with Susannah Constantine, things were turned on their head for the upcoming 17th series as Anton was given a partner who might actually be good in the form of EastEnders actress Emma Barton.
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Yep, were as shocked as you are.
As the pairing was announced, fans of the show took to Twitter to express their surprise.
WHAT?????? WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?! ANTON?????? author (and prolific Strictly tweeter) Marian Keyes wrote, while another added: Anton clearly beside himself with glee that he doesnt have to cart a corpse around the dancefloor like a deranged hospital porter for one series. Ouch…
Even Anton himself was overwhelmed by the pairing, telling Tess: So this is what it feels like, confidently adding, Oh, book me in till Christmas.
Given his previous partners, many fans had suspected that Anton would accompany 60-year-old broadcaster Anneka Rice, who actually ended up with reigning champion (and five time finalist) Kevin Clifton.
That was unexpected, wrote one Twitter user, while others echoed the sentiment with a: Did not expect that.
While many guessed that Strictly bosses were punishing Kevin for his romantic involvement with his 2018 partner Stacey Dooley, Strictly has always liked to alternate pairing their professional dancers with those with natural dance ability and those more, erm, rhythmically challenged.
Its pretty much an unsaid rule that a reigning champion will partner someone less likely to win the following year and vice versa to ensure things stay fair.
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