I do look in the mirror and wonder what's happened to my face!

ANTON Du Beke has revealed the most common remark made when he’s recognised in public is how surprisingly youthful he looks.

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Anton with his wife Hannah Anton's series of novels is now on volume eight

“My favourite comment of all time is, ‘Oh, you look much younger in real life!” says the Strictly Come Dancing judge who turns 60 in July.

Although he jokes he is “a bit depressed” about the upcoming milestone - “Only because I have no idea how it happened so quickly. In my head I’m only 35. I’ve turned 35, blinked twice and suddenly it says 60 on my passport. And I don’t understand how we got there.”

Anton, who sits on the judging panel for the Saturday night BBC One dance show alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas, adds: “I don’t know what 60 is supposed to feel like but I don't feel 60.

“And sometimes I look in the mirror and go, ‘What's happened to my face? My chops! They're hanging down”

A dad of eight-year-old twins with wife Hannah Summers, Anton says fatherhood, as well as continuing to dance and sing on tour (his Anton Du Beke at the Musicals tour runs until mid November) helps keep him active.

“I’m very lucky,’ says the dancer and writer - who has just published his latest novel, The Winter Ball.

“T've had what I call ‘a lucky body’ throughout my life. When I was competing back in the day, lots of people had to retire because of injuries - the back’s gone, the knees don’t work like they should. I’ve never had any of those problems, I've been very fortunate with my body. But I've always looked after it.