Hard graft and a shared outlook are the keys to Strictly success for Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova, the TV host reveals.
BBC Breakfast star Dan hails Nadiya’s dedication and says they thrive on the challenge.
He says: “Both of us had to work really hard in life to get where we are and I learned that really early on from her.
"The number of hoops she has had to jump through, the sacrifices her mum and family have had to make for her.
“Then to become a 25-year-old world champion and then win it again.
"So I really respect the hard work that she has put in to get there and I think we enjoy each other’s company.
"She makes me laugh. I think she would say she has learned a lot from me and I have learned a lot from her.
"I think our attitude is very similar.”
Dan and Nadiya, 32, performed the tango in last night’s quarter-final – and he admits he had to “work on my tango face”.
He also reveals he didn’t dance at his own wedding to university sweetheart Sarah Walker in 2001.
He adds: “I did distraction tactics, messing around on the side. We’ve been married 20 years and it’s always been our plan to have a party at our 25th anniversary.
“So I’d love for us to learn a dance and do it together and make up for my lack of wedding dancing. I always loved the idea of dancing but it always felt beyond me.
"I’m 6ft 6in, I’ve always been tall and awkward.
"The easiest way to avoid dancing was to be the joker on the sidelines.
"There has always been a desire, but I didn’t think I had the ability.”
Yesterday it was reported weeping Dan, 44, was consoled by Nadiya last weekend on the 10th anniversary of the death of his soccer star pal Gary Speed.
He has also been trolled.
He says: “I got a really vile one, went back to the girl and said, ‘I hope I’m not ruining the show’.
"She came back and said: ‘Oh, I’m really sorry, I didn’t think you would read that, my mum loves you’.”
