Strictly Come Dancing star Dan Walker has shared the hilarious moment his children nearly discovered that he was taking part in the show.
The BBC Breakfast presenter, 44, who has three children with his wife Sarah, confessed they caught him watching a YouTube video titled ‘Charleston For Beginners’ and immediately questioned him about taking to the dancefloor.
Dan, who said he agreed to do the show because his kids said they ‘really wanted’ to see him take part, added he has already been warned to avoid introducing any of his ‘dad dancing’ into his Strictly routines.
Oops! Strictly Come Dancing star Dan Walker has shared the hilarious moment his children nearly discovered that he was taking part in the show
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the series launch, Dan said: ‘I nearly gave the game away, we all shared a YouTube account at home and the kids were looking up something and the last thing they saw was ”how to Charleston for beginnings” and then they said ”dad is there something you want to tell us?”
‘Obviously I talked it through with my wife Sarah, I didn’t tell the kids until the weekend before the Tuesday I was announced, I don’t know why I was so secretive about it, and I had lots of stuff to talk about so I wanted to keep it to one side really.’
Dan had previously revealed that he had been approached by bosses in the past about taking part in the show, and he finally agreed after being persuaded by his family.
Learning some pointers? The BBC Breakfast presenter who has three children with his wife Sarah, confessed they caught him watching a YouTube video titled ‘Charleston For Beginners’
He added: ‘I’ve got 3 kids, who are 14, 12 and 10 and they sat me down at Christmas and they said ”dad if you get asked again we’d really like you to do it.”
‘I’ve done a lot of telly that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and it’s rare to do something your kids are really invested, and they’ve only ever asked me to do two programmes, Saturday morning mashup and this.
‘And the other reason is that I cover a lot of news and the last 18 months has been grim story after grim story, and I thought an opportunity to do something that’s fun and just have a bit of a giggle and learn a new skill.’
‘I’ve rinsed YouTube, my 14-year-old, she went back to dance lessons yesterday so she’s told me a few moves and also shaking her head a bit when we have a kitchen disco.
‘My 10-year-old son is a proper little mover, he just enjoys dancing about so hopefully there’s some genetic mix that I’ve got some dancing genes in there.
‘I haven’t been doing that much practice in there, normally some music comes on, I move like a goon and they say ”dont do that on the telly.”’
Strictlified! Dan also said he agreed to do the show because his kids said they ‘really wanted’ to see him take part
Dan left his Breakfast co-host Louise Minchin stunned when it was revealed he was part of the Strictly lineup last month, with the presenter furious she hadn’t been told before the news was announced live on the show.
He told MailOnline: ‘Louise was very surprised, when she was on the programme and she got announced it was a bit of a shock, even though she’d been told it wasn’t me.
‘She finishes on Breakfast the week Strictly starts, so that’s going to be a bit weird.
‘I know Naga, Carol, Mike, Chris, Ore there’s been a lot of people over the years who have done the show and really enjoyed it as well, They’re fully supportive and hopefully I won’t let the breakfast team down.’
Dan added that he has already met Strictly’s no-nonsense head judge Shirley Ballas, after they climbed Mount Kilimanjoro together for a Comic Relief special.
He’s doing what? Dan left his Breakfast co-host Louise Minchin stunned when it was revealed he was part of the Strictly lineup last month
But the broadcaster insisted this won’t give him an advantage because he hasn’t managed to pick up any of her dancing skills.
He explained: ‘I know when it comes to dance pedigree she’s got the lot, when we were up Kilimanjaro, Shirley was quite distressed on the first night, as she said camping isn’t really her thing.
‘She was amazing on that trip and she was doing it and being inspired by her brother David and that really spurred Shirley on and I really got to know her quite well. She was feeling a bit down and I grabbed a blanket and did a bit of impromptu paso doble, and she laughed her head off.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing her, we’ve had a few reunions, and I think she’s great and incredibly talented.
Happy: ‘I cover a lot of news and the last 18 months has been grim story after grim story, and I thought an opportunity to do something that’s fun,’ he told MailOnline
Pals: Dan added that he has already met Strictly’s no-nonsense head judge Shirley Ballas, after they climbed Mount Kilimanjoro together for a Comic Relief special
‘I don’t mind taking criticism, whatever you say to dancing people I’m looking forward to being pulled apart by them.’
This year’s Strictly will see 15 celebrities take to the dancefloor with their professional partners, with the pairings set to be revealed in Saturday’s launch show.
Stars including actor Greg, comedian Judi Love, singer Tom Fletcher and presenter AJ Odudu will take to the dancefloor in their sequins in the hope of impressing the judging panel.
Despite the easing of Covid restrictions across the UK, bosses have confirmed that many of last year’s protocols will continue for this series, including couples forming Covid-safe ‘bubbles’ so they can train and perform safely.
The show will also see the return of a live audience, after most of the 2020 series was plagued by England’s ongoing lockdowns.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 18th September on BBC One.
Back soon: Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 18th September on BBC One
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
TOM FLETCHER
Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: ‘I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.’
Fun fact: Tom’s McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
ROBERT WEBB
Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: ‘It’s very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.’
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from ’80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: ‘I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation’
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN
Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: ‘I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.’
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY
Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!’
Fun fact: Tilly’s father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA
Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: ‘I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.’
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.
ADAM PEATY
Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: ‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.’
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE
Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: ‘What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU
Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: ‘I think it’s going to be really challenging. I can’t wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.’
Fun Fact: Apocalypse Wow hosts AJ has featured on a whopping 14 TV shows this year, competing in the likes oF Cooking With The Stars and Celebrity Karaoke Club. She has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE
Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: ‘I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family… I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth’
Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering – the first in 17 years of the show.
SARA DAVIES
Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: ‘I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance… Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.’
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons’ Den.
DAN WALKER
Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: ‘I’m enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I’ll be honest I’m not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.’
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE
Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: ‘It’s about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can’t dance, and learning.’
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: ‘I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.’
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE
Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: ‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!’
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.