BBC DAN ADMITS: JUDGE SHIRLEY IS A PAL
But laughs at dancing
STRICTLY’S Dan Walker has admitted he is pals with show judge Shirley Ballas.
The pair have enjoyed a close relationship for years.
They first struck up a bond in 2019 when they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania together for Comic Relief and have stayed close ever since.
Dan, 44, said: “We had some great conversations on that trip. I really got to know her well. I’m looking forward to seeing her.
“We’ve had a few Kilimanjaro reunions. She’s great, talented and knows what she is talking about.”
Dan risks a favouritism row by revealing they are friends.
It is likely to lead to speculation that he will get extra marks from the 61-year-old judge.
But he insists it is unlikely to help him, adding: “On one particular occasion Shirley was feeling a bit down and a bit upset, so I nicked one of the blankets we were using to keep warm at night and I did a bit of impromptu pasodoble. “She laughed her head off, which I’m not sure is the best thing. I questioned whether I would’ve got a 10 but she continued to laugh, so I’m not sure the technique was great. But it had the desired effect of making her laugh.” Dan was paired with pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 32, in last night’s launch show. Bookies are tipping them to sail through the early weeks of this year’s series.
But Dan had a setback on Friday when he was taken to hospital after bashing his head on a door. He said: “I’ve got to rest for a couple of days, so I’ll be a bit behind but ready to dig in again next week.”