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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Strictly's Dan Walker refuses to dance on Sundays due to devout religious beliefs

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Dan Walker won’t be dancing on Sundays during his time in the BBC One competition.

The BBC Breakfast presenter, 44, will be taking Sundays off for religious reasons due to his devout Christian faith.

Dan, who is partnered up with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, will be using his day off to ‘gain perspective’ on his scores and performances of the night before.

Although the dreaded dance offs air each Sunday, it is filmed on Saturday nights.

Many of Dan’s fellow Strictly contestants will be back in the rehearsal studios, but the TV star has told bosses he needs to be with his family.

Dan won't be dancing on Sunday's (BBC / Guy Levy)

A source told The Mail On Sunday: “Dan’s religion is very important to him and he won’t be dancing on Sundays.

“It is a sacrifice he makes for his faith.

“While Nadiya will have to understand, the professional dancers become more competitive than the celebrities as the series draws to a close, the rivalry amongst them is huge.”

Throughout his entire journalistic career, Dan has always prioritised his faith.

Dan has always prioritised his faith (BBC)

The much-loved TV star, who hails from Sheffield, follows an Evangelical Christian tradition.

In a recent interview with The Independent, Dan explained the importance of his religious beliefs as he continues to raise his young children.

Lifting the lid on his Sunday routine, Dan shared: “I’ve always had that day as a family day. Sometimes, it’s been difficult, and some people find it peculiar that that’s the stance I’ve chosen to take. But it’s really important.

“I work a lot, so I have to make up for the fact that I'm not there. My faith is important to me. It's what makes me tick.

“Having that time to rest, gain perspective and concentrate on the important things in life keeps me grounded.”

Dan previously told The Mirror that he would never have considered going on Strictly were it not for his wife Sarah and their children Susanna, 14, Jessica, 12, and 10-year-old Joe.

He explained: “Last Christmas, my kids sat me down and said, ‘There are two programmes we’d love you to do, Saturday Mash-Up! and Strictly’.

“I wanted to be part of something they could really get into.

“My children are already loving the whole experience. “They’re really caught up in it and loving the fact their friends are too. They never get to see me on BBC Breakfast because we have a ‘no TV before school’ rule, so my programme is banned in our house!

“My 14-year-old was in the audience last weekend and she was worried about me embarrassing her.

“I looked up and saw tears coming down her face and she gave me this lovely little proud wave and mouthed, ‘Well done, I love you’.

“I don’t think you can get much better than that – having a daughter who’s proud of her dad.”

It comes as fans are convinced that the Strictly results show is filmed on Saturday instead of Sunday.

One eagle-eyed viewer has pointed out that Dan attends the results shows, even though he has told bosses that he will not be part-taking in the dance off's.

Taking to Twitter, the fan insisted: "Dan Walker is in the studio for the results show, proof positive that it's definitely filmed on a Saturday."

Strictly Come Dancing odds with Grosvenor Sport

AJ Odudu 13/5

John Whaite 3/1

Rose Ayling-Ellis 13/4

Adam Peaty 15/2

Rhys Stephenson 14/1

Tom Fletcher 16/1

Dan Walker 20/1

Robert Webb 20/1

Judi Love 40/1

Tilly Ramsay 40/1

Katie McGlynn 50/1

Ugo Monye 66/1

Sara Davies 66/1

Greg Wise 100/1

*odds subject to change

Bet on Strictly Come Dancing with Grosvenor Sport, where new customers get £30 in FREE BETS!

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