Dan Walker has disclosed his insider tips for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants as he unveils his fool-proof plan for how to stay on the BBC show as long as possible.
The Channel 5 news presenter, 45, competed on the 2021 series of the iconic show, finishing in an impressive fifth place.
Despite having no dance or performing experience, Dan and his and dance partner Nadia Bychkova reached the quarter finals before being knocked out.
EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis and her partner Giovanni Pernice were eventually crowned the winners.
At the time, Dan surprised even himself by making it through eight weeks of the show – despite a public backlash which claimed keeping the then BBC presenter in the show was a “fix”.
But now Dan has revealed he had a game plan for staying in the competition as long as he could.
Dan, who made the shock announcement he was leaving BBC Breakfast after 13 years to join Channel 5 earlier this year, told Heat magazine that the secret to getting to the final stages of Strictly is to first realise that it is “not a dancing competition”.
The telly personality told how he’s come to understand the inner workings of the show and given some cunning advice to this year’s contestants.
“I think there are four elements to Strictly and only 25% of it is about dancing,” he explained.
“It’s about connecting with the audience when you’re on the dance floor for that 90 seconds. You get 90 seconds with Claudia, and 90 seconds for your VT. Then you’re in control of what you do on social media and It Takes Two," said Dan.
“Those other elements are just as important as the dance. The audience can tell you whether you’re a decent dancer and how much you’ve learned, but the only way they can really get to know you and see whether you connect with your partner or if you’re nice is via those other elements.
“That’s how they decide whether they want to watch you the following week or not," the news host concluded.
His advice might have saved former Bros star Matt Goss, who found himself the latest casualty of the BBC show last week.
Matt, who was also partnered with Nadiya, was left in tears at his exit as he told viewers he'd relished the chance to get back n the limelight through Strictly.
Dan recently hit the headlines himself as he defended David Beckham when the former footballer was accused of queuing to pay his respects to the Queen lying in state to boost his ‘exposure’.
The former England footballer queued for 13 hours with the general public after first joining the snaking line at 2am and remained firm in his view that he should queue.
The father-of-four was clearly overcome with emotion as he reached the Queen, appearing watery-eyed as he bowed his head to the monarch’s coffin.
Former BBC Breakfast presenter later praised David on Twitter , writing: “Fair play to David Beckham for joining the queue. Twelve hours plus apparently to pay his respects.”
However, one user strongly disagreed, prompting Dan to come out in support of the star, as the user wrote: “Had to show his face didn't he, any chance of exposure.”
Dan then replied: “Have a word with yourself, Chris. He's been there since 2am this morning. If he wants headlines he pops to the chippy in his PJs.”
