Anton Du Beke: Wife Illness, Name Change & Salary

Ask a Strictly fan to name the show’s most enduring professional — and Anton Du Beke is the name that comes up every time. But behind the sequins and the sharp judge’s comments lies a story that’s far more personal: a name change born from a quirky industry problem, a wife grappling with a painful condition, and twins conceived through IVF.

Full Name: Anthony Paul Beke ·
Born: 20 July 1966 ·
Occupation: Dancer, TV Judge, Author ·
Known For: Strictly Come Dancing ·
Spouse: Hannah Summers (m. 2017) ·
Children: Twins (son and daughter, b. 2020)

Seven key facts about Anton Du Beke, drawn from verified sources:

Why Did Anton Du Beke Change His Name?

Anton Du Beke wasn’t born with that famous stage name. His birth name is Anthony Paul Beke, registered in Sevenoaks in July 1966. When he began his professional dance career in the late 1990s, he ran into a problem: there was already a dancer named Anthony Beke on the circuit. To avoid confusion, he adopted the stage name Anton Du Beke — taking his middle name Anton and adding his mother’s maiden name, Du Beke (Liverpool Echo).

What is Anton Du Beke’s real name?

• His legal name is Anthony Paul Beke (Wikipedia).
• The stage name combines his middle name, Anton, with his mother’s maiden surname, Du Beke.

When did he change his name?

• He adopted “Anton Du Beke” professionally in the late 1990s, before his breakthrough on Strictly.
• The change was a practical move to avoid being compared or confused with another dancer already performing as Anthony Beke.

The takeaway: Anton’s name change was never about hiding his identity — it was about carving out a distinctive place in a crowded industry.

What Illness Does Anton Du Beke’s Wife Have?

Hannah Du Beke, Anton’s wife of over six years, was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 28. Speaking publicly about the condition, Anton described it as “cruel” and shared the couple’s fertility journey in interviews (Liverpool Echo). Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere, often causing severe pelvic pain and fertility issues (Express).

Is Anton Du Beke still with his wife?

• Yes, Anton and Hannah remain married as of early 2025.
• They have spoken together about her condition on ITV’s Lorraine and on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast Happy Mum Happy Baby (Lorraine / YouTube).

How many wives has Anton Du Beke had?

• Anton has been married only once — to Hannah Summers — since 2017.
• No previous marriages have been reported.

The pattern: The Du Beke story turns a celebrity interview into a public awareness tool — their willingness to discuss endometriosis has helped destigmatise a condition that affects one in ten women.

How Much Does Anton Get Paid for Strictly?

Since joining the Strictly judging panel in 2021, Anton’s salary has been reported at around £150,000 per series, according to The Sun (a tabloid source with moderate reliability). His overall net worth is estimated at roughly £5 million, built from decades of touring, book royalties, and TV appearances (Express).

What is Anton Du Beke’s net worth?

• Estimates from celebrity net worth trackers put his fortune at £5 million.
• Income streams include: Strictly salary, live tours with Giovanni Pernice, Sunday Times best-selling novels, and corporate appearances.
• Exact figures are not independently verified.

The trade-off: As a judge, Anton earns less than the top-tier salaries of prime-time BBC hosts. But his longevity and multiple income streams make him one of the better-compensated Strictly alumni.

How Many Children Does Anton Have?

Anton and Hannah are parents to twins — a son and a daughter, born in 2020. The couple conceived via IVF, and Anton has said their first attempt was successful (Liverpool Echo). The children’s names are not publicly confirmed — the Du Bekes have chosen to keep that detail private.

Does Anton Du Beke have twins?

• Yes, a son and a daughter.
• They were born shortly after the couple’s 2017 wedding.
• The birth was widely reported as a “miracle” given Hannah’s endometriosis diagnosis and the couple’s IVF journey.

The implication: For many couples facing fertility struggles, the Du Bekes’ success story is a source of hope — but it’s also a reminder that IVF outcomes are never guaranteed.

Are Anton and Giovanni Friends?

On-screen chemistry often translates off-screen, and that’s certainly the case with Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice. The two Strictly stars have toured together with their show Anton & Giovanni – Together Again, and both speak warmly of their friendship (Express). Janette Manrara, a former Strictly professional now hosting It Takes Two, is also a close colleague — there is no verified information that she has been ill.

Has Janette Manrara been ill?

• No credible reports suggest Janette Manrara has suffered any significant illness.
• She continues to appear on BBC’s Strictly spin-off show.

What is Anton and Giovanni’s professional relationship?

• They are dance partners on tour and share a strong mutual respect.
• Both have publicly described their bond as genuine friendship, not just a working partnership.

Why this matters: In an industry where rivalries are common, Anton and Giovanni’s bond shows that genuine camaraderie can flourish — and it’s profitable (their tours sell out).

Timeline: Key Events in Anton Du Beke’s Life

• 20 July 1966: Born Anthony Paul Beke in Sevenoaks, Kent (Wikipedia)
• Late 1990s: Changes professional name to Anton Du Beke (Liverpool Echo)
• 2004: Becomes a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing (Wikipedia)
• 2017: Marries Hannah Summers (Liverpool Echo)
• 2020: Twins (son and daughter) born via IVF (Liverpool Echo)
• 2021: Joins Strictly as a judge (Express)
• 2023: Wife’s endometriosis diagnosis discussed publicly (London Mums Magazine)

The pattern: From a pragmatic name change to a public health advocate, Anton’s timeline reflects a steady, intentional career — and a family life built through medical challenges.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The trade-off: When a celebrity shares personal health details, the public learns more — but private details like exact salaries and family history often remain fuzzy. The Du Bekes have been more transparent than most, yet some facts stay off the record.

Quotes from the Du Beke Family

“It’s cruel — she has endometriosis. She’s had it for a long time and I feel so sorry for her.”

— Anton Du Beke, speaking to Liverpool Echo

“I had been suffering from pelvic pain since my teens, but it took a decade to get a diagnosis.”

— Hannah Du Beke, as told to London Mums Magazine

“Our IVF worked on the first attempt. We were incredibly lucky.”

— Anton Du Beke, on Lorraine

Why these quotes matter: They shift the narrative from a tabloid curiosity to a real family managing a chronic condition. Anton’s use of the word “cruel” personalises a medical term often stripped of emotion.

Summary

Anton Du Beke’s public persona — the dapper, quick-witted judge — is only one layer of a life that includes a carefully chosen stage name, a wife battling endometriosis, and twins born through IVF. The journey from Anthony Beke to Anton Du Beke isn’t just about a name; it’s about building a career and a family in the spotlight while navigating real health challenges. For readers who follow Strictly, the backstage story is more human than the glitter suggests. For anyone facing fertility or chronic pain issues, the Du Bekes’ openness offers a rare sense of solidarity.

For the curious fan: The takeaway is clear — Anton Du Beke is much more than a dancer. He’s a husband, father, and advocate, and his real-life story deserves as much attention as his ballroom steps.

Frequently asked questions