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How does your new show Step Up To The Plate work?
"We have three amateur chefs and two professional chefs in a cook-off against each other. The menu is three dishes that the amateur cooks have devised, or have been cooking for a couple of years. The two pros have no idea what the menu is until I reveal it to them on the show. They are just given a tray of ingredients and have to start making the dishes."
What attracted you to working on a cookery show?
"The format! I think it's a genius idea. I get the chance to have a bit of banter with the chefs. Also, because I don't cook at all, I get the opportunity to ask some ridiculous questions like: 'What's going on in that pan?' I think cookery shows have become so sophisticated and everyone's so marvellous at it, but there are people like me who aren't into the cooking malarkey, who still don't know how to boil an egg for three minutes."
So you're not very good at cooking then?
"No, I'm dreadful."
There must be something you can rustle up in the kitchen?
"No, nothing. I eat out every day."
Does that not make it hard for you to stay in shape for your dancing?
"I do watch what I eat, but I don't make it myself. When I eat out, I just have to make sure the things I buy are good and healthy."
You've got some big name chefs in the kitchen. Do you think you'll be able to keep their egos in check?
"I hope so, but I hope they all have a bit of a nightmare with each other. There's an underlying tension going on in the pro kitchen. There's two peacocks in that kitchen and feathers are going to be ruffled. I'm looking forward to dealing with that."
You've also brought Loyd Grossman out of TV retirement to be the food critic. How did you tempt him on to the show?
"I think it's quite a heavyweight show. There's some big name chefs like Jean Christophe Novelli, Aldo Zilli, John Burton Race and James Tanner. Then there's Endemol making it, who are a great bunch of people. Plus there's a girl with me now called Katie, who's doing the PR, and she is just... Frankly, if I wasn't talking to you know, I would be frenching her."
Is TV presenting something you want to focus on now as a career?
"The thing about me is that I love variety. I like to try new things and I don't want to be pinned back. I think it's a shame if people call me 'Anton The Ballroom Dancer' or 'Anton from Strictly Come Dancing'. I love those things and don't want to move away from that, but it's nice to do new things. I think I've got a bit more to offer than just dancing. It might just be me that thinks that, but it's worth saying."
You've never won the show. Are you determined to find a champion partner...
"...before I die?! I think so, I would love to win it before I die. But I want to continue having a lovely time on the show. That's the most important thing, getting someone that I get on with, like I have in the past. I've been very lucky that all my girls have been lovely to spend time with. If we can win as well, that would be a match made in heaven."
There's always rumours surrounding Brucie's future on the show. How long do you think he will stay for?
"I don't know. As far as I'm concerned he can continue for as long as he wants to. Who could replace Bruce Forsyth?"
Perhaps you?
"Me? Well, what a thing that would be! My God! I'm not sure they would let me loose on the show. But seriously, Bruce is the king. He will do it for as long as he wants to and long may it continue."
Step up to the Plate airs weekdays at 2.15pm on BBC One.
