Ladies man Anton, who shot to fame through TV show Strictly Come Dancing, is no more at home than when he is the centre of attention on the dance floor.

But in the current tour of Simply Ballroom, which hits the north east with a stop at the Sunderland Empire next week, the dancing expert takes a behind-the-scenes role with dance partner of 11 years Erin Boag, as the pair have choreographed the show but do not get to appear
in it.

"It's a fabulous show that's all about the dancing," he said.

"It's a dance extravaganza – it has been on tour all over the world and we're still so proud of it, the dancing is really impressive.

"It's a really great upbeat show and the presenters Sam Kane (from Coronation Street), and Sophie Lawrence (from EastEnders), are great at making it a really high energy show."

Starting at the age of 14, Anton insists not a day goes by without him dancing – but recently the dancer turned television personality, has been trying his hand at anything and everything.

"At the minute I'm working on a new cookery show called Step Up to The Plate.

"I can't cook at all so thankfully I'm not cooking I'm just hosting, which will be something new for me.

"It's great to be able to do such a variety of things, I think I'm really lucky.

"I'm also going to be working as a team captain on a new game show for the BBC, which I'm really excited about – it doesn't even have a name yet!"

With a book – Anton's Dance Book – already under his belt, and another one in the pipeline, it seems the charmer is finding it hard to find the time to dance.

"Dancing is what I love and I'm already really looking forward to the next series of Strictly – I'll always find the time to dance."

Simply Ballroom is at the Sunderland Empire next Friday, July 11, at 7.45pm.

Tickets priced from £21.50-£23.50 are available by calling the box office on 0844 847 2499 or visiting www.sunderlandempire.org.uk