BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker has admitted that his “stomach folded in” ahead of his Strictly Come Dancing appearance.
The 45-year-old was part of the competition in 2021 and a fan favourite throughout the series, placing 11th in the quarter finals with his partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Walker spoke to Strictly FM’s Fred Morgan in an Instagram live broadcast and opened up on his initial apprehensions about the show.
He said that he was nervous before the first episode, but didn’t allow nerves to get the better of him before he got a chance to strut his stuff.
Dan said: “The most challenging thing for me, having been somebody who has always avoided a dance floor, I did feel a little bit uncomfortable and weird.”
(Image: BBC)
He recalled “filming in the tin foil tunnel” for the video tapes which gave him a “stomach-folding-in-on-itself feeling” and made him wish that he “wasn’t there,” because it was “all the things he hated about dancing”.
Dan reassured Fred: “Over the weeks I became much more confident and I really enjoyed it. I think that came across.”
The presenter said that his “proudest moment” was the fact that he remained in the competition for as long as he did, making it to the quarter finals unscathed.
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Dan thought he would only make it to the third week of the series and said that his partner Nadiya helped him to perfect his dancing skills, calling her “one of the best dancers in the world”.
He revealed: “Honestly, we really got on. I loved it. At the end of the series, she said she felt she could be herself for the first time.”
The presenter said that was a “sign of the depth of their friendship,” which he called “lovely” and confirmed that they are “still good friends” and will “continue [to be] for a very long time”.
(Image: BBC)
The close pals recently met up to perform the Charleston together at a charity event, a fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association hosted by former rugby player Rob Burrow.
Dan documented their rehearsal on Instagram and wrote: “Early excitement, great fun, chocolate biscuits, totally broken at the end.”
He then praised his BBC Breakfast co-star Sally Nugent, who also performed at the event.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
