Strictly Come Dancing’s Dani Dyer makes savage dig at famous actor dad Danny
Jen Pharo
The Mirror online
Dani Dyer makes a sly jibe at her EastEnders star dad as she reveals she’s looking forward to finding herself after putting her three children first over the last few years
With two-year-old twin girls, a four-year-old son, a footballing husband and a famous dad (who can be more of a handful than the kids) Dani Dyer rarely finds time for herself.
So the Love Island alumna is thrilled to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing and finding her identity as an individual again.
“I’ve always been honest, but that first year of motherhood is an absolute journey… and then I got pregnant with twins!” shares Dani. “That first year, you completely lose yourself, now the girls are two I’m like, ‘Oh, you start to feel like yourself again. It just takes a while. My kids are my absolute world but now I feel like Dani again.”
Earlier this year, Dani married West Ham star Jarrod Bowen – to the delight of her die-hard West Ham fan father, the actor Danny Dyer. But with football matches going out on a Saturday, Dani’s not sure if the pair will ever come to the Strictly studio to watch her dance live.
The 2025 Strictly Come Dancing line up includes Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, Thomas Skinner, Stefan Dennis, Karen Carney, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Ellie Goldstein(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
However, Danny and his wife Joanne will be at the pre-recorded launch show to watch their daughter’s Strictly debut, while Dani is hoping Jarrod will be able to attend later in the series when the footballing schedule allows.
“I’ve looked at a certain weekend, and if I’m still in it, Jarrod would love to come and support me,” says Dani.
Strictly bosses have been trying to lure Dani’s father onto the show for years, but Dani’s not sure her dad could handle the pressure. “People would love to see him in the glitter, the camp,” she laughs. “He wouldn’t be able to put the work in, he’s never been on a running machine!”
Alex Kingston is also taking part in the show this year her pal Sarah Hadland encouraged her. The ER legend, 62, can’t wait to learn both ballroom and the sexy Latin dances.
And she’s fallen in love with her dance costumes – even though she found her first fitting humiliating. “When we first had costume fittings we were pulled into these banana yellow leotards that they then drew the measurements all over, and it was not a good look,” confides Alex.
Alex Kingston is taking part in Strictly 2025(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
“They had a rack of past costumes to try and see what colours and shapes you put on you. This poor dresser was hoofing one of the dancers’ dresses on to me, I mean my a*** cheeks were hanging out! I just kept saying, I’m so sorry. And then you’re in it and you just go ‘Wow I look great!’.”