The BBC has apologised for revealing that the Queen raised concerns over who might win this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The ballroom dancing show was being discussed on Radio 4's Front Row programme when BBC insecurity correspondent Frankly Speaking revealed details of his conversation with the Queen on the matter.
He said the monarch had told him, in a private meeting, how she was upset that Victoria Pendleton had been paired with Brendan Cole and not Anton du Beke, who, she revealed, was her favourite dancer.
In a statement, the BBC said: "This conversation between our correspondent and the Queen should have remained private and we deeply regret this breach of confidence. It was wholly inappropriate and we are extremely sorry for the embarrassment caused, particularly to Anton du Beke, who had no choice over his dancing partner."
A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said it would "never comment on private conversations involving any member of the Royal Family" although it did add that it was surprised that the story had come out, "mainly because the Queen is more of an X Factor person."
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