There's no rest for the wicked - fresh from his most successful stint yet on the BBC juggernaut that is Strictly Come Dancing, Anton du Beke is now focused on his eighth UK tour.

He may now be performing with Erin Boag, his professional partner of 18 years, but du Beke remains full of praise for his most recent Strictly partner; "Katie has innate talent and glamour, great natural posture and looks lovely in the frocks," he enthuses.

"But she's wonderful to work with, has a great sense of humour and is very pragmatic about the judges' criticism."

He should know - at 49, he's the oldest professional dancer on the show and has been on the series since it began in 2004. Surprisingly, du Beke, originally from Kent with a Hungarian father and a Spanish mother, claims he isn't driven by winning the trophy.

"It makes no difference to me whether I win it or not. Of course, being voted off is horrible, you feel so much disappointment for your partner if that happens, and obviously I always do my very best every week. But winning is something you only worry about when you get to the final and as I've never got there, I've never worried about it! Anyway I'm not sure how good a glitter ball would look in my house!" he says roaring with laughter.

It emerges that this charming, witty man already feels like a winner anyway. He regards himself as privileged rather than frustrated to have had, in the main, the comedic personalities to train.

"I've been the luckiest of the professional dancers by having the most interesting and lovely ladies to dance with over the years," he says gallantly.

"If I hadn't danced with Ann Widdecombe that would have been my loss because she was a joy, such a scream and fun to be with. I wouldn't have missed those wonderful moments last year, throwing Judy Murray across the floor and our routine with her as Cruella de Vil accompanied by two Dalmatian dogs! And, for heaven's sake, Jerry Hall's a living legend and also hilarious. I've enjoyed every second of it all."

He's dismissive of the so-called 'curse' of Strictly - the show has a history of contestants leaving their other halves to pursue relationships with their partners. "If people want to do something like that, get involved with their partner, well go ahead, but don't ask me about it. As far as I'm concerned, we're professional people and that's not the way I behave," he says firmly.

Touchingly, when asked about the biggest highlight of his own life, it's not his glittering dance career, but meeting his partner of three-and-a-half years, marketing executive, Hannah Summers.

"We saw each at an event and for me it was virtually love at first sight. I immediately thought she was amazing. There are so many things which make her special," he says.

"Previously I'd never given any thought to finding 'the one'. It wasn't that important to me because I loved what I was doing so much - performing was the 'woman' in my life if you like - but then Hannah came along. She's just perfect. I love her above all things. She's very beautiful, clever, but also really kind.

"Although she doesn't really dance, we do sometimes do a little bit of dancing together in the kitchen. She sometimes has a few dramatic moves that she likes to show me! When she comes to watch me perform at the Albert Hall or whatever, it makes it even better for me that she's there, appreciating what I do and taking so much pleasure in it."

Du Beke's dancing partner for 18 years, Erin Boag - the couple are regarded as the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of modern-day ballroom and will visit Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre as part of their eighth nationwide tour, Just Gotta Dance, this month - has frequently urged him to marry Summers to experience the contentment she already enjoys.

"Marry? I might do, maybe next year," he says. "Let's see - we're very happy. Children? Well it would be nice to have one child, but we'll see how it goes...."

:: Anton & Erin - Just Gotta Dance, is at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre on February 13. To book tickets, visit raymondgubbay.co.uk or bic.co.uk.