Anton Du Beke is a man of many talents—a celebrated ballroom dancer, a beloved Strictly Come Dancing judge, a best-selling author, and an all-around entertainer. But when it comes to answering quiz questions about his own field? Well, let’s just say it didn’t go quite as planned.
At 58 years old, with a net worth of $10 million, Anton has built an incredible career, captivating audiences with his charm, elegance, and quick wit. But even the best of us have our off days, and Anton’s recent appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special proved that even the King of Ballroom isn’t immune to a brain freeze.
Anton’s Unexpected Quiz Show Blunder
Appearing on the ITV quiz show, Anton took the hot seat with confidence, aiming to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust. For the first few rounds, he was on a roll, breezing through the questions like a pro. But then came a moment of sheer irony—a question about dance and musicals that left Anton completely stumped.
The question? “Which Tony Award-winning musical features a mash-up called Elephant Love Medley?”
The possible answers were:
- Hairspray
- The Book of Mormon
- Moulin Rouge!
- Six
Now, given Anton’s illustrious dance career, you’d think this would be a walk in the park for him. But, like many contestants before him, the pressure of the hot seat seemed to turn his brilliant dancer’s brain to mush.
The Moment of Truth – And A Costly Mistake
After struggling with the answer, Anton decided to use his 50/50 lifeline, hoping it would help narrow down his choices. But when faced with just The Book of Mormon and Moulin Rouge!, he took a wild swing and locked in The Book of Mormon.
Before Jeremy Clarkson could reveal the answer, Anton made a touching gesture, saying:
“If I get this wrong, I’m going to give the charity £15,000 of my own money.”
And then came the gut punch—he got it wrong.
Clarkson, never one to sugarcoat things, quipped:
“That’s just cost you £15,000.”
Ouch.
The correct answer? Moulin Rouge!—a fact that left Anton completely bewildered and playfully horrified.
“You wait until I tell my wife!” Anton joked, taking the loss in stride. And Clarkson, ever the dry humorist, reminded him:
“I’m afraid this is going to go on television.”
Why We Love Anton Even More Now
Anton’s moment of forgetfulness didn’t make us think any less of him. If anything, it made us love him even more. His ability to laugh at himself, take the loss with grace, and still donate to charity out of his own pocket is exactly why he remains one of Britain’s most cherished TV personalities.
Jools Holland Also Had His Struggles
Anton wasn’t the only celebrity to face a humbling moment on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Music legend Jools Holland also had a rough start, using up two of his lifelines within the first five questions.
One of the most baffling moments came when he was asked:
“In March 2020, who began hosting online fitness workouts for children under the title ‘P.E. with Joe’?”
To music fans’ surprise, Jools had no idea who Joe Wicks was, relying entirely on the audience for help. Later, he stumbled again when trying to recall the famous tagline from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, eventually using another lifeline.
Despite these early hiccups, Jools managed to recover and play on, even showing off his comedic side when faced with a Spice Girls-related question.
Anton Du Beke’s Unstoppable Career
Even though his quiz show performance didn’t go as planned, Anton du Beke’s career is still in full swing.
- At 58 years old, Anton remains a cornerstone of Strictly Come Dancing, transitioning from pro dancer to judge in 2021.
- He continues to entertain fans through live tours with long-time dance partner Erin Boag.
- He has found success as an author, with novels set in the ballroom world.
- His net worth of $10 million is proof of his versatility beyond just dance.
A Millionaire in More Ways Than One
Anton du Beke may not have won big on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, but he’s already won something even more valuable—the hearts of millions. His ability to laugh at himself, give generously, and entertain effortlessly is why he remains one of the most beloved figures in British entertainment.
So, while he may not have known his Broadway medleys, we’ll let it slide. After all, the man has given us decades of dazzling performances, witty commentary, and heartwarming moments—and for that, he’ll always be a winner in our book!
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