Anton du Beke

Because we had no money when I was growing up, when I started dancing, I wasn't allowed to be frivolous - my mum made me go to every lesson because she was paying for it. ”

As soon as I started dancing at 14, I knew I was always going to be a professional dancer. ”

When you dance together, there's a fabulous interaction. It's quite intimate. You're touching your partner, leading them. Learning how to behave in that person's proximity is a skill. I love it. I can't imagine tiring of it. ”

Strictly' is a bit like scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup Final or sinking the final putt in the Ryder Cup - only a few people get the opportunity to do it, and they have got to be famous. ”

A dancer's career is short - you just keep going until your legs pack up. ”

My goal is to be the best TV presenter, the best entertainer, the best singer. I still want to be the best dancer. I want to be the best at everything I do. ”

Being a competitive dancer is an expensive business - you have to buy the £2,000 or so tail suit and the shoes, and then get yourself around the world to the competitions. And there is not a lot of money to be made in competing. ”

There is not a lot of money in competition dancing. There never has been; it's all about winning the trophies, really. It's not like golf. ”

At places like Chelsea, often the garden displays are so big and grand that you'd never be able to have them at home. ”

The world would be a better place if everyone learned to dance. ”