Dani Dyer has shared the heartwarming influence her mother-in-law played in her decision to say yes to Strictly Come Dancing, despite being “petrified” of live TV.
Ms Dyer, the daughter of actor Danny Dyer, was one of the first celebrities unveiled as a contestant on this year’s show. Fans will find out which pro she’s been paired with during Saturday’s launch show.
Her role on the long-running BBC competition comes after she shot to stardom back in 2018 after winning ITV dating show Love Island alongside Jack Fincham.
Despite victory, Mr Fincham and Ms Dyer’s romance didn’t last, and in 2021, Ms Dyer went public with her relationship to West Ham and England winger, Jarrod Bowen.
BBC Strictly: Dani Dyer with her husband Jarrod Bowen
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Ms Dyer and Mr Bowen welcomed adorable twin girls together on May 22, 2023. They announced their engagement just over a year later in July 2024, and in May this year, they tied the knot.
Undoubtedly, Mr Bowen and the family will be there to root for Ms Dyer from the audience of the ballroom week after week as she aims to progress in the competition.
And one person who’ll definitely be cheering Ms Dyer on is her mother-in-law. Speaking at the Strictly press day to GB News and other outlets, Ms Dyer explained how her husband’s mum played a part in her agreeing to take part.
“I’ve always avoided live telly!” Ms Dyer began. “Since leaving Love Island, live telly has petrified me, I think it was because I was so safe in the villa.
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BBC Strictly: Dani Dyer will be hoping to lift the Glitterball Trophy
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“I’m so scared if, when the lights come on and they introduce me, I’m like, ‘I don’t know what to do’.
“You know when you walk into a room and you go, ‘Why am I in this room?’ Like, you know that feeling? But we’re going to be fine, we’re going to be fine.”
So why did she agree to tackle Strictly and the pressure of the live shows? “Because it just looks so fun. Like, especially last year was the year I… like, I was sitting there with Jarrod’s mum…
“She was like, ‘If I could have you on any show, I’d love you to do Strictly.'”
BBC Strictly: Dani Dyer’s mother-in-law played a sweet role in her decision to take on Strictly
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PA
While undoubtedly a sweet moment, Ms Dyer admitted she initially didn’t think it would happen.
“I was like, ‘What do you mean? You have to be asked for that show? Like, that’s an honour to be asked,” she laughed.
“And it was crazy that it could come about that way. I was like, yeah. It felt so right.”
It’s not just her mother-in-law who’ll be in the crowd, either. Ms Dyer confirmed her dad has already arranged plans for the launch show.
“He will try and keep it together,” she joked when asked if fans can expect tears from her EastEnders star father.
“Him and my mum are making a little date day of it. They’re coming on the launch show together. Yeah, they’re really excited.”
BBC Strictly: Dani Dyer alongside her castmates in the full line-up
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BBC
Fans will have to wait until Saturday’s launch show to discover all of the pairings, but Ms Dyer admitted she hasn’t had time to pinpoint who she thinks will be a strong candidate for the Glitterball.
“I think we’re so in the moment of trying to pick up our dances, we’ve not looked at each other,” she remarked.
Dani Dyer is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
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