Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STRICTLY DAN
BREAKFAST host Dan Walker says even he is amazed he is still on Strictly, and has been voting for a rival celeb to win the Glitterball.
The 44-year-old BBC star trended on Twitter on Sunday night after he dodged the bottom two yet again.
Some fans were angry he would dance again thanks to viewers’ votes and 31 judges’ points for his Charleston.
But Dan says of his time on the show: “It’s been a brilliant experience.
“And I genuinely didn’t think that I would enjoy it this much. Or be able to dance at all. I thought I’d be gone within two or three weeks.
“So to still be here in week 10, I’m looking at nothing but the positives.”
And he doesn’t think he’ll be crowned the BBC dance show’s winner, saying deaf actress Rose Ayling-ellis, 27, is much more likely to be champion.
Dan said: “My dad is deaf, and I know how hard it is for Rose.
“From my own experience, I know how hard it is to dance when you can hear the music.
“So for her to do what she’s doing with Giovanni [Pernice], it’s staggeringly impressive. And she’s such a lovely girl as well.”
Mentioning his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova, he went on: “Their dance the other week, their couple’s choice... I was sat next to Nadiya who was in tears. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen on the television.
“I’ve watched it about five times the next day with our kids. I think she’s incredible.
“And... I know I probably shouldn’t be but I am voting for her every week.”
Despite some comments from people saying he does not deserve to have got so far in the show, Dan has a theory about his long survival.
He says: “I have had thousands and thousands and thousands of messages... from people who have watched Strictly for the first time, who have danced for the first time, because they’ve seen somebody who looks a bit like them, a bit tall and awkward, and has never danced before, getting on a dance floor.
“From kids who are really tall, who are 12, 13, 14, who have found a bit of confidence from watching somebody like me on the dance floor. So, the positivity far outweighs the one or two negative comments. And the other thing is, it’s a dance game show.
“And it’s not just about the judges’ scores. There’s a lot more that goes into it than that. And I think for whatever reason, people want to see us dance again... that’s lovely, isn’t it?
“There’s so many people who for whatever reason have enjoyed watching us dance. And that’s the whole essence of Strictly – after you’ve watched us on a Saturday night, do you want to see those people do it again next Saturday?
“For whatever reason, we’ve had 10 straight weeks. We’ve loved it, haven’t we?” Nadiya, 32, sitting alongside Dan,
Positivity outweighs the one or two negative comments DAN WALKER ON THE REACTION TO HIS SUCCESS
says: “We’ve absolutely loved it.
“To be honest, I’m having the time of my life. “It’s a pleasure to teach Daniel because his work ethic, is just incredible. And for a teacher like me, it’s beautiful to see the improvement and be a little part of it. And the other stuff, how much fun we’re having, and how much I learned from him as well. So, it’s been an incredible 10 weeks. I’ve loved it.”
Tonight, the pair are doing the rumba to Desperado by The Eagles, which many celebrity dancers have struggled with over the years.
“Everyone keeps telling me it’s the dance to fear,” says Dan.
“But they told me that about cha cha
cha and the jive. I’m just having a lovely time in all honesty.
“And the rumba’s Nadiya’s favourite dance. She absolutely loves it because it’s so technical.
“What did you say this week? That every movement counts and everything matters. And she loves all that.
“So it’s been really lovely to learn the rumba from somebody who’s probably one of the best in the world at it.
“I’m not saying I’m quite at her level yet but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Before the pair waltz off into the night, there is just time to ask Dan about his two other TV partners – Louise Minchin, who recently departed BBC Breakfast and is currently suffering on I’m A Celebrity, and his Breakfast co-host Sally Nugent, who filled in for a few months before officially getting the job.
Dan, who has now been on BBC Breakfast for more than five years, is “convinced” Louise will be crowned Queen of the Castle in I’m A Celebrity.
He says: “She’s just got every single skill required. She’s determined, she’s fun, she looks after other people.
“She is just herself. She’s an incredible competitor but she’ll do it with a smile on her face and she’ll make everybody else around her feel special. “And that’s a real gift.
“Even if she doesn’t win it, she’ll come out of it brilliantly. It’s always been a pleasure to sit next to Louise.
“And she left behind a significant pair of shoes to step into.”
Of his new Breakfast co-host, he adds: “Sally’s been brilliant, from minute one, when she was in that strange situation of doing the job without actually having the job.
“She said, ‘What should I do?’ I said, ‘Just act like it’s yours, Sally.’ And she did. And she’s been brilliant.
“Nadiya says that when you dance well with somebody, you’re almost breathing together, you’re moving at the same time in harmony.
“And when that happens, on the rare occasions it happens to me, it’s an amazing feeling, which I’ve never
It’s been a pleasure teaching Daniel.. his work ethic is incredible
experienced before.
“And I feel the same way in a TV studio, with Louise, and now with Sally. When you work that well with somebody, you don’t have to look at each other.
“Sally fills the gaps that I leave and I fill the gaps that she leaves.
“And we never talk over each other.
NADIYA BYCHKOVA
It’s a really beautiful place to be in where you understand how someone’s brain works... you just smoothly dovetail together.
“And I found it really beneficial to have that, not only with Louise for years, but with Sally almost straight away.
“And occasionally with Nadiya on the dance floor as well.
“So dancing and presenting TV aren’t that far apart, I don’t think.”
■ Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.55pm on BBC1.