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Strictly's Dan Walker Says Daughter Had Sweetest Reaction To First Dance: 'One Of The Highlights Of My Life'

"The dance was great... but that was what it was all about."
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Dan Walker has revealed his teenage daughter’s adorable reaction to his first performance on the show at the weekend. 

The BBC Breakfast presenter took to the floor with professional partner Nadiya Bychkova to perform a Quickstep to Everybody Needs Somebody To Love from The Blues Brothers. 

The pair impressed the judges and were awarded 24 points out of a possible 40, sitting in joint fourth place on the leaderboard. 

Speaking on Monday’s edition of BBC Breakfast, Dan described how seeing his daughter in tears in the audience was “one of the highlights of my entire life”. 

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Nadiya Bychkova and Dan Walker on the Strictly floor
Guy Levy/BBC

He recalled: “I sat down on the chair with Nadiya and she sort of said, ‘Well done. You did really well’.

“And then I looked across to where Tess normally is, that’s where my wife and my daughter were sitting, and Suzi had tears pouring out of her eyes. Like, proper tears of joy, and she gave me this lovely little wave to say, ‘Well done, dad’.

“That was one of the highlights of my entire life because she absolutely loved it and she’s the one – and her brother and sister – that’s why I decided to do the programme because they were desperate to watch it.”

“So, that for me was perfect. The dance was great, I really enjoyed it, but that was what it was all about,” Dan added. 

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Dan and Nadiya scored 24/40 for their first dance
Ray Burmiston/BBC

Dan’s Strictly journey didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts, after he was forced to miss some rehearsals following an accident. 

The presenter was taken to A&E after walking into a glass door at a hotel, returning to hospital when he was still feeling wobbly. 

Saturday’s first live show of the series saw AJ Odudu and partner Kai Widdrington top the leaderboard after showcasing an impressive Jive. 

Since then, Tom Fletcher and his partner Amy Dowden have been forced to withdraw from the second live show after they both tested positive for Covid-19.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One, with BBC Breakfast airing daily from 6am. 

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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