STRICTLY Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has swapped his dancing shoes for a microphone - releasing his debut album From The Top.

He was at Waitrose in Salisbury to meet with fans and sign copies of the album on Thursday (November 30).

From The Top features the classic songs which have inspired him throughout his career.

“It is one of these incredible opportunities that came up. It is a collection of my favourite songs, songs I’ve danced to all my life, songs I’ve listened to all my life and songs I hope other people dance to as well,” explains Anton.

“It is just one of those things I’ve wanted to do forever and it is a real joy to be able to do it. I’m enormously grateful to Polydor for allowing me to put it together and putting it together with me – it has been a wonderful collaboration.”

From The Top sees Anton backed by vocal harmony quintet The Overtones and Lance Ellington from the Strictly Come Dancing band.

Grammy award-winning producer, Brian Rawlings (Tina Turner, Enrique Inglesias and One Direction) collaborated with Anton to create the big band sound.

“I’ve been singing for almost as long as I’ve been dancing," says Anton. "I’ve sung at my dance shows and I’ve sung on Strictly but I never believed I would finally get the chance to make an album."

Anton’s musical talents were showcased on Strictly last year, which he says may have come as a surprise to fans who have not seen his live touring show.

“I’ve been singing forever, I’ve always sung, and on my live touring show I always sing. Anybody that has been to see me on tour will know I sing so it won’t be a surprise but anybody who hasn’t seen me this will be a big surprise. It was the show last year on Strictly with the big number everyone went ‘oh ok we didn’t know he could sing this is rather good’ and I think Polydor were much the same and from there we got together and put together the number.”

The album is a tribute to his wife Hannah and his close friend, the late Bruce Forsyth.

“Bruce was always a huge hero of mine and I was lucky enough to call him a friend. We’d play golf, we’d have a laugh and we both loved all the old stars like Fred Astaire and Sammy Davis Jnr. He was so supportive. When I did a tiny show at the Hippodrome in London, he did me the greatest honour by coming down and singing with me," says Anton.

One of the songs they sang – Me And My Shadow – is featured on the album as well as Putting On The Ritz, It Had To Be You, Fly Me To The Moon and Something Stupid. The album also includes a reworking of the Arctic Monkeys hit I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor and an original composition Nothing But Love.

“My favourite song, there are two, Me And My Shadow, which is one I did with Bruce on Strictly a few years ago, and another song called More, which is a song I’ve done for my wife and my baby. Those are the two strands of my life really – run side by side - my performing life, Me and my Shadow reflects that and More which is my personal life and song about my wife. Those are the most important songs to me on the album,” says Anton.

“I am really thrilled with the way it has come out and I hope everyone enjoys it and enjoys listening to it and it is well received.”

Anton says he would love to continue making music. “I would like to do more albums and record more songs and music. It is something I have enjoyed doing enormously. Hopefully it all goes well and we’ll do more.”

He adds: “I would like to do more of the same. We’ve got a song on there I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor which is a fun thing to do, an Arctic Monkey song. I would like to do more of that – just taking songs you wouldn’t expect and putting new arrangements to them.

"I definitely want to do a Christmas album.”

Anton has a busy time ahead of him and will be back on tour in the new year with his new show, From Broadway to Hollywood, in January, February and March From Broadway to Hollywood with dance partner Erin Boag.

Anton has been on Strictly Come Dancing since the show started in 2004. His celebrity dance partners have included Patsy Palmer, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray, former MP Ann Widdecombe and most recently Ruth Langsford.