Tribute to woman who waltzed off with Dan’s heart*
*Don’t panic, it’s not Strictly curse, it’s for star’s wife
TV PRESENTER Dan Walker last night shrugged off the “Strictly curse” as he dedicated his dance to his wife.
The BBC Breakfast host performed the Viennese waltz with professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova to Billy Joel hit She’s Always A Woman and said it was the perfect tribute to love-of-his-life Sarah.
As his wife stood and applauded his performance, Dan told viewers. “She’s one of the people who the more you know her, the more you love her and I have known her and loved her for over half my life.
“She is amazing, she is such special person, I love her to bits.”
Dan, 44, who has been married for 20 years and has three children, Suzie, Jessica and Joe, said before he took to the floor: “I’m thinking a lot about the words of the song.
“I know he’s one of my wife’s favourites so I’m just thinking about this.and when my wife came along to training with the kids I could see on her face how much she loved it.
“When we danced it she was like ‘That’s beautiful’ and that’s what has inspired me.”
Last night, the judges were keen to boost Dan’s confidence, giving him 28 points out of 40, his highest score of the series so far.
Head judge Shirley Ballas told him: “I would like just a little bit more belief in yourself. You are turning into quite the dancer.”
The hit BBC show has been plagued by the so-called “Strictly curse” with romances between professional dancers and celebrity contestants.
Speaking earlier about whether last weekend’s controversial near kiss between Adam Peaty and professional Katya Jones had prompted Sarah to give him a list of rules, family man Dan said it wasn’t needed.
“We love Strictly and as a family we watch it and I’ve never had THAT conversation with my wife and I don’t think I’ll need to,” he said.
“Nadiya and I have a really strong friendship and we get on really well and I’ve learnt an awful lot from her.”
Former Football Focus host Dan added: “Nadiya has come around for dinner a few times, we’ve been out together as a family as well.
“I want my kids to enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying it and be part of it and the same for my wife.”