Anton Du Beke Releases Christmas Single Ahead of UK Tour

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke is expanding his music career with the release of a Christmas single, Dance My Way To Christmas, scheduled for November 6, 2026. The British dancer co-wrote the swing-inspired track with songwriter Jacqui Hicks and recorded it with singer Lance Ellington, ahead of a festive tour across the UK.

According to reports published by the Manchester Evening News and AOL on October 20, Du Beke will also perform the song during his live show, Anton At Christmas, which runs from December 10-22. The tour includes Watford, Oxford, Liverpool, London, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Bournemouth and Brighton.

Du Beke described the release as a long-standing personal ambition, connecting the project to his enthusiasm for seasonal music.

"Launching a Christmas single is something I've always wanted to do, for as long as I can remember." Du Beke said.

He explained that Christmas music has a special place in his appreciation of the holiday season and hopes his new recording will become part of listeners' annual traditions.

"For me Christmas is the most magical time of year and the music played is a huge part of that and what makes it so memorable." Du Beke said.

The judge also expressed his hopes that the song would join established seasonal favorites on holiday playlists.

"All the favourites are rolled out and for Dance My Way To Christmas to possibly be part of the seasonal playlists is a dream come true!" Du Beke said.

Hicks co-wrote the track, while Ellington contributed vocals. Du Beke said the collaboration benefited from Hicks' understanding of his musical preferences. The song had already appeared on his YouTube channel in the previous year before its planned commercial release.

Reflecting on the recording sessions, Du Beke described the experience of working with the musicians and Ellington as particularly rewarding.

"When we got into the studio with the band and Lance, it was everything I could have dreamed of." Du Beke said.

He previously released the album From The Top in 2017, featuring covers of well-known standards including Putting On The Ritz, Fly Me To The Moon and It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. The new single marks another release in his musical career alongside his work on television.

The announcement comes after Du Beke participated in a recent Strictly Come Dancing performance that featured the show's judges. Earlier in October, he sang Arctic Monkeys' 2006 song I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor during a ballroom-versus-Latin showcase, while fellow judge Shirley Ballas joined the dancing.

Du Beke's musical plans also emerge as questions surround the future composition of the show's judging panel. According to MailOnline, contracts for all four judges, including Du Beke, Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, are due for review at the end of the 2026 season.

Ballas, who became head judge in 2017 after Len Goodman's departure, has been identified by an unnamed source quoted by MailOnline as a possible departure. The source cited her family commitments and the forthcoming contract negotiations as potential factors, but no confirmed decision about her future was included in the reports.

Du Beke's Christmas single is scheduled to become available for streaming and download on November 6, followed by performances during his December 10-22 UK tour.