Anton Du Beke has opened up about his wife Hannah’s battle with endometriosis, revealing why he was left stunned after discovering the reality of the debilitating condition
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has spoken out about a painful health condition affecting his wife Hannah, admitting he was left stunned after discovering the reality of what she had been experiencing.
The professional dancer opened up about the subject during an appearance on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast, where he discussed the impact of Hannah’s diagnosis and why he believes more needs to be done to raise awareness.
Anton, who married marketing executive Hannah Summers in 2017, explained that he had never even heard of endometriosis before meeting his wife, despite considering himself someone who keeps informed about the world around him.
He told Davina: “I find the whole thing staggering, and this is a subject for another day because I can talk about this for an hour and a half. It’s also a thing that I never even knew existed before I met Hannah. I’m not an unintelligent man. I do keep my ears open. I know lots about lots of things. I’d never even heard the word endometriosis, not because I wasn’t listening, because nobody talked about it.”
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It can cause severe pain, swelling and fertility difficulties.
During their conversation, Davina highlighted just how physically and emotionally challenging the condition can be, describing it as debilitating and painful.
Anton agreed, outlining some of the symptoms Hannah has experienced and questioning why there is still such a lack of understanding surrounding the illness.
“It’s debilitating. It is painful, huge, swelling, infertility problems. And what do we know about it? Not very much. This is something that needs to be addressed,” he said.
He also described the particularly cruel nature of some of the symptoms, explaining how endometriosis can cause swelling that makes sufferers appear pregnant.
“I know we’re short on time, but the thing about endometriosis is that it’s a bit perverse. It makes you, some of the side effects are, you get swelling, but in a unique way that makes you look like you’re pregnant,” he said.
Davina agreed, responding: “It’s so cruel, isn’t it?”
Anton replied: “Isn’t it? What’s that? Mother Nature, can we have a chat about this?”
The conversation also touched on the couple’s journey to becoming parents, with Anton previously revealing that Hannah’s condition had made her fear they might never have children together.
The pair first met at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey in 2012 and went on to welcome twins George and Henrietta following IVF treatment.
Anton previously discussed their fertility struggles on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, explaining how difficult it had been to watch Hannah deal with the condition while they were trying to start a family.
He recalled seeing her with her nephews and questioning why someone he considered so naturally suited to motherhood had been dealt such a difficult hand.
The dancer described the diagnosis as “peculiar, cruel, and inexplicable and unforgivable”, expressing his anger at the thought of Hannah suffering with the condition while also facing uncertainty over whether they would have children.
Anton has continued to highlight the importance of greater awareness, making clear during his latest conversation that the condition deserves far more attention and understanding.
Steps in Time: The Moments that Made Me by Anton Du Beke is out on November 5.
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