Dan Snow has revealed he felt like he was going to pass out after his gruelling first rehearsal with pro partner Nadiya Bychkova for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
The historian, 45, is among six celebrities who will battle it out on the dancefloor in the festive special, which will air on December 25.
Dan is a history broadcaster, best-selling author and entrepreneur and his podcast History Hit is listened to millions of times each month.
He was also part of the expedition to find Shackleton’s Endurance shipwreck in Antarctica in 2022.
Speaking about training for the special, he revealed that it was a lot of hard work and left his whole body ‘aching’.
Dan Snow has revealed he felt like he was going to pass out after his gruelling first rehearsal with pro partner Nadiya Bychkova for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special
The historian, 45, is among six celebrities who will battle it out on the dancefloor in the festive special, which will air on December 25.
Dan is a history broadcaster, best-selling author and entrepreneur and his podcast History Hit is listened to millions of times each month. He was also part of the expedition to find Shackleton’s Endurance shipwreck in Antarctica in 2022 (pictured)
Dan said: ‘I used to think that I was quite fit, I like taking the kids up mountains, and after the first session with Nadiya, I got into the car, and I almost had to pull over at the side of the road because I thought I was going to pass out.
‘It’s been so intense, my head and my legs, and my whole body was aching. I feel mentally as healthy and happy as I have been for a long time, dancing is really good for you, and I strongly recommend everyone get out there and start dancing.’
Explaining his reasons to sign up, he said: ‘I love dancing, but I’m terrible at dancing. It’s been a lifetime ambition to learn how to dance and if you’re given the privilege of going on one of the biggest shows on British TV to get one-on-one training from a phenomenal coach, then I thought it would be so fun.
‘It’s a huge privilege to work on the biggest show on the BBC, it felt like a really special thing to do this Christmas.’
Dan also revealed that he had wanted to take part for his family, saying: ‘For me its showing family, friends and fans what we’ve been working on together, I want to show people what you can do when you stretch yourself, and do things you never thought were possible.
‘I want to get through it, have fun and with a big smile on my face and celebrate the last two weeks of such a fun experience.’
Dan is the proud father of three children, Zia, 12, Wolf, nine, and Orla, eight, with his wife Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor.
He said: ‘My family are incredibly excited. They’re young enough to be genuinely excited and not old enough to be embarrassed, so they are thrilled and so excited, but they’re old enough to go… “does Nadiya mind she’s dancing with some old man like you?” so it’s a nice balanced approach from my kids.
Last year, Corrie’s Alexandra Mardell won the festive show with pro Kai Widdrington after earning a perfect score with their fun Quickstep
‘And my nephew and niece are coming for Christmas, and they don’t know that I’m on it and they are mad Strictly fans, so we’re going to turn it on, on Christmas day, and they’re going to think “oh cool its Strictly” and then see uncle Dan and totally freak out.’
Dan and Nadiya will be taking on the Jive in a gingerbread man themed routine and discussing his partner, he gushed: ‘Everyone knows Nadiya as the famous super beautiful, famous dancer, but what I’ve learnt, is in fact, the real Nadiya is a teacher. I’ve been really privileged to have the best coaching.’
Nadiya also praised Dan, saying: ‘Dan is so focused, I didn’t expect him to be so into it, and I love it. I think he rehearses in his sleep, so I am a proud teacher.’
She continued: ‘Dan has got on really well. He takes note, and when I threw something new at him it meant he took a few steps back, and it can feel like when we finish rehearsal it’s not quite there, but then he comes back the next day and is like “I slept on it and I understand it better now” and he’s much better. And that’s happened in every session.
‘I enjoyed teaching Dan, because he is very focused and understands the mechanics and does a lot of homework. He’s the perfect student.’
The Strictly Christmas special will see Dan go up against BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, professional rugby union player Danny Cipriani, actress and presenter Tillie Amartey and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan.
The six couples will perform a festive-themed routine with the hope of impressing the judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas as well as the voting studio audience to win the sought-after Christmas trophy.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 25 from 4.40pm.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas line-up last year included professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Amy Dowden, Luba Mushtuk and Giovanni Pernice – who opened the show with a festive routine
