Anton Du Beke Frozen Out By 'Strictly' Co-stars

07 October 2009

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Anton Du Beke has been "frozen out" by his 'Strictly Come Dancing' co-stars.

The ballroom expert was expected to accompany his dance partner Laila Rouass - who he has "jokingly" called a "p**I" and a "terrorist" - to the Pride of Britain Awards, but the actress was instead accompanied by her 'Primeval' co-star Lucy Brown.

A source said: "Anton was very, very noticeable by his absence - he had obviously been told to keep away.

"Many of us thought he'd turn up with Laila to show they had put this unpleasant incident behind them. But either he or the BBC must have thought it best he laid low."

Anton was very, very noticeable by his absence - he had obviously been told to keep away.

While Anton didn't attend, Laila was joined at the bash by fellow 'Strictly' stars Joe Calzaghe, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Cassidy, show host Tess Daly and former judge Arlene Phillips.

However, show insiders insisted Anton hadn't been snubbed.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Laila decided to take along a friend from 'Primeval'. There's nothing sinister in that. Anton wasn't snubbed. We've accepted his apology and we are all moving on."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that complaints about Anton's racist slurs have quadrupled, adding pressure on the BBC to sack the dancer.

Gerry Gable of anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate branded his words "unforgivable."

He added: "The BBC needs to listen. Are they in touch with reality?"