Anton Du Beke on Kate Garraway's Life Stories (ITV)

I am hoping to watch it when I have a quiet moment. I have always liked him.

We had recorded it, and I do like Anton, and enjoyed the programme, but, I do wish that Kate Garroway had let him finish his answers before jumping in again with another question.

Yes, Auntieflo, I notice that with many presenters and interviewers.

He’s lovely isn’t he? His FIL was choked up at his words. Did you see the recent progs he and Giovanni did together about visiting Italy, Gio’s birthplace. It was one of the best progs I’ve seen in ages. Despite their age gap they got on so well and were naturals in front of the camera.

Yes, Primrose, I did see that. I love Giovanni and he and Anton seemed to be firm friends. I do think Anton is a very kind person which showed on Strictly with his dance partners. Giovanni said he was the only person who really helped him settle in England when he first joined Strictly.

I've always thought that Anton seems a lovely man. I recorded that programme and will watch it over the weekend.

We watched it and found it very moving.

I've always liked Anton and wondered if there was a lot more behind the relentlessly positive showman. Now we know about the difficulties he overcame and it was heartwarming to see how much everyone who knows him loves him.

I enjoyed it. I like Anton’s self deprecating humour and warmth. He has worked hard and deserves his success and happy life with his lovely family.

Growing up with a violent, alcoholic father hasn’t made him bitter and there wasn’t a hint of self pity. A refreshing change not to have a celeb making their unhappy childhood the only thing that defines them.

A refreshing change not to have a celeb making their unhappy childhood the only thing that defines them

Isn't it!!

Perhaps someone who is forever in the media needs to learn a lesson or two.
relentlessly positive is the wrong term, I meant it kindly, not as an insult. Better that than constant whingers.

I haven’t seen the programme but read an article at the weekend. He came from a very ordinary background with a troubled childhood. Father an Hungarian, was a violent alcoholic, and in fact stabbed Anton as a 7 year old child in his leg and back (I think it was).

I admire people who are able to overcome such trauma in their lives.

I enjoyed the programme and really admire Anton for his positive attitude, he didn't seem bitter about his awful childhood with an abusive father and certainly didn't play the victim. He's worked hard for his success and I'm pleased he now has such a happy life with his lovely family. I agree about Kate Garraway interrupting him, it got very annoying. Also I wish the media would stop describing people as "growing up on a council estate" implying that is the lowest of the low.

Also I wish the media would stop describing people as "growing up on a council estate" implying that is the lowest of the low.

I wish that, too, and hate the implication that it's surprising that the person has gone on to do well.

Oh I loved the programme .... it made me laugh and it made me cry! And yes Kate was a little annoying.

Thank you for this thread. I had recorded the programme but might not have got round to watching. I loved it and am another who laughed and cried most of the way through.

I m not a fan of the dancing show or him particularly, but I did enjoy his life story and thought he was very humble in the way he talked to the men that had helped him on his way up
All in all a reasonable programme to watch he didn’t seem to hold any resentment to his father

I didn't actually watch this programme so can't comment. In general though I do get a bit tired of 'celebrities ' whinging on about their lives and suffering seems to be a fashionable trend.

sodapop

I didn't actually watch this programme so can't comment. In general though I do get a bit tired of 'celebrities ' whinging on about their lives and suffering seems to be a fashionable trend.

It’s clear you didn’t watch it because if anything, Anton was an inspiration.

He made it clear he doesn’t carry any baggage from his past and looks to his much loved father in law as a role model.

I agree that it seems to be a fashionable trend for celebs to air their misery at every opportunity so I would recommend they take a leaf out of Anton’s book and refuse to let it define them.

Prince Harry should be locked in a room and forced to watch it! 😂

sodapop

I didn't actually watch this programme so can't comment. In general though I do get a bit tired of 'celebrities ' whinging on about their lives and suffering seems to be a fashionable trend.

I might be a good idea to watch it, sodapop

There was no whingeing at all, in fact Anton seemed reluctant to bring the subject up but it was inevitable. He spoke of it and it was obvious he had come to terms with it and moved on to become a better person himself, saying his father-in-law is his role model.
His own father was an alcoholic, abusive to all of them and stabbed him one Boxing Day; Anton ended up in hospital for three days.

Yes, merlogran, others could learn a lot from Anton.

I admired him so much

I am a long time Strictly fan, I have always admired Anton.
I watched the programme & enjoyed it. I agree that Kate was a little annoying at times.

Also, yes merlotgran, others could certainly learn a lot from watching Anton in his life stories programme.