Anton Du Beke charms Zaffre with debut novel

Bonnier Zaffre has acquired "Strictly Come Dancing" star Anton Du Beke’s “sweeping historical” debut novel as a super lead for this autumn.

Entitled One Enchanted Evening, Du Beke’s debut is set around a London hotel ballroom in the lead up to World War II.

Eleanor Dryden, publishing director at Bonnier Zaffre, acquired world rights from Kerr MacRae, MacRae LPA, and talent agent Melissa Chappell at I Will Know Someone.

Dryden said she was confident the book would "sweep you off your feet". Kate Parkin, executive director Bonnier Zaffre, commented further: “From the first moment we met him, it was clear that he would bring all the natural flair and grace of his stage performance to his writing. Every bit as talented a storyteller as he is a dancer, we’re very proud to have him on our list.”

Du Beke said, although a huge challenge, he was thrilled to be taking the project on. “I’ve always loved a good story. Until now I’ve only told them through dance. Now it’s time to take them to the page,” he said. “It’s a huge challenge for me but one I am thrilled to be undertaking with the team at Bonnier Zaffre. I hope my readers will be as enchanted by my book as they would be by a perfect 10 for one of my routines.”

Du Beke previously worked with Constable & Robinson on an armchair companion to ballroom dancing, B is for Ballroom, in 2012. This will be his first novel.