Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke almost missed out on BBC job due to career decision

Anton Du Beke, renowned for his moves on Strictly Come Dancing, once contemplated a career in professional golf before becoming a dance pro.

The skilled 58 year old, who holds an impressive handicap of one, is blending his passion for golf with engaging conversation in his brand-new podcast 'Putt And Strut', co-hosted with Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk.

Du Beke reflects on what might have been, saying: "I could quite happily have taken it up as a profession if I'd stumbled into it before dance, because the two are very similar. You're always striving for the next level. You can't perfect golf, and dancing is the same thing."

His prowess on the green is certainly enhanced by his dance moves. He adds: "There's an element of correlation between golf and dance in motion, timing, rhythm and movement. It's about the hips."

Pondering the success he might have found on the golf course, he told the Mirror: "If I had gone down the golf route, I would've approached it with the same fervour as dance - but whether it would've paid off, well, that's another story."

Du Beke teams up with 46 year old Sarah, who recently pitted Mirror journalist Tom against a golf simulator challenge, aiming to break down gender stereotypes in golf with their podcast which features guests such as Judy Murray and James Nesbitt.

On the daunting image of golf, Anton remarks: "It's that hurdle, that intimidatory factor. Everybody feels like it's a very male-orientated sport, and it sort of is, but not."

The father to seven year old twins, alongside his wife Hannah, finds the golf course to be more than just a place for leisure; it's a space where his professional creativity flourishes.

He said: "I don't do any sort of work at home... because of the children. So when I get on to the golf course, it's great. It's where I do everything. I learn lyrics, I think about dance styles, putting shows together."

When reminiscing about times on the green, he warmly remembers playing with his late hero, Bruce Forsyth: "We played a lot of golf and not once did he let me win."

Anton and Sarah's Putt & Strut podcast is available now on Global Player and all major podcast platforms.