Strictly’s Dan Walker consoled by partner Nadiya Bychkova after backstage breakdown

Dan Walker was comforted by his professional dancer partner, Nadiya Bychkova backstage after breaking down in tears on the emotional anniversary of his friend’s death.

The BBC star became upset after watching a rerun of an interview he gave about his friend Gary Speed’s death ten years ago, and was consoled by Nadiya.

An insider told The Sun, “Dan was in bits because he had watched a re-run of his interview with Gary which took place the day before he died. The two were very close, and it was a haunting, harrowing watch.”

Dan’s friend Gary was a football star who played for Leeds, but tragically killed himself back in 2011.

“Dan tried to hold it together, but the emotion of the evening became too much after their dance and he broke down in the dressing room.”

Given the allusive “Strictly curse,” tongues started wagging over Dan and Nadiya’s closeness, but insiders confirm it was entirely platonic. 

“Nadiya consoled him. She was amazing, and basically let him cry it out on her shoulder. As a result people have been gossiping backstage about Dan and Nadiya’s closeness, but it was entirely innocent.”

Dan has been married to Sarah Walker for twenty years and the couple have three children together. 

He will compete in the Strictly Come Dancing quarter finals on Saturday night, despite being the favourite to go for the last few weeks running.

Despite calls for him to be booted out of the competition and claims judges are "overmarking" him, Dan thanked fans for continuing to support him. 

"I just wanted to say 'thank you' for the 1000s of messages we get like this every week. You are so kind and encouraging," he wrote on Instagram.

"I'm glad so many of you are enjoying #Strictly and @nadiyabychkova and I are always humbled that people want to see us dance again… we are just having fun every Saturday."