Dan Walker might be all about family life, but that didn’t stop him from making a brief detour from his summer holiday for one very glamorous night in London.
The Channel 5 presenter jetted in from Nice, France—leaving his wife Sarah and their three kids behind—to host the TRIC Awards on Tuesday at Grosvenor House.
And by his side throughout the evening? His former Strictly Come Dancing partner and close friend, Nadiya Bychkova.
Hosting Duties and a Familiar Face
At 48, Dan still manages to juggle broadcasting, public events, and parenting.
But for this particular occasion, he made it clear he was mixing business with a bit of pleasure—especially with Nadiya, 35, in attendance as a guest.
Dan was front and centre at the awards ceremony, while Nadiya turned heads in a sleek black-and-white gown.
According to onlookers, the chemistry between the two was hard to miss.
They were seen laughing, chatting, and catching up throughout the night—rekindling a friendship that’s been going strong since their Strictly days.
Playing Instagram Husband at the After Party
Sources at the event say Dan went above and beyond the average catch-up—spending around 15 minutes helping Nadiya take glam Instagram shots using a ring light, making sure she looked her best from every angle.
He was dubbed her “Instagram husband” for the evening.
Once the main event wrapped up, the duo stuck close together at the after-party in the Red Bar of the five-star hotel.
Guests noted they were “never far apart” for most of the night, with one source adding, “Dan and Nadiya’s close friendship was very clear.”
The pair were later spotted chatting in the hotel reception before Dan left via the lift while Nadiya remained behind.
Cryptic Message from Nadiya Fuels Speculation
In the early hours that followed, Nadiya posted a cryptic quote to her Instagram Story that raised a few eyebrows.
“The only way to truly move me is by being a good person,” it read.
“I admire people with pure hearts and genuine intentions.”
The post didn’t mention Dan, but the timing certainly got people talking.
Nadiya also shared a behind-the-scenes look at her evening at the TRIC Awards, attending alongside the charity Bright Young Dreams—a cause closely tied to Dan, who’s been a patron of the Children’s Hospital Charity since 2023.
No Other Strictly Dancers, Just Dan and Nadiya
Interestingly, Nadiya was the only Strictly professional at the event.
She presented the Radio Presenter award alongside former contestant Tasha Ghouri.
With no other dancers around, it was a reunion of just two—and their bond appeared as strong as ever.
Their evening wrapped around 11pm, after a day that also celebrated icons like Sir Trevor McDonald and Eamonn Holmes.
Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks even bagged their first win for their podcast Staying Relevant.
A Friendship That’s Still in the Spotlight
Dan and Nadiya’s connection has sparked attention before—especially during and after their run on Strictly.
Their frequent Instagram posts, public outings, and warm tributes to each other led to plenty of whispers behind the scenes.
Even now, over three years since they danced together, the two still share snapshots of coffee catch-ups and backstage reunions—something that stands in stark contrast to Dan’s private life with his wife of 23 years, Sarah.
He’s previously said Sarah isn’t interested in being online at all: “She doesn’t want to be on social media. Simple as that.”
Still Supporting Each Other Publicly
Dan has continued to publicly back Nadiya’s career.
In March, he joined her on stage in Sheffield and Barnsley to interview her during her A Special Evening with Nadiya tour.
Around the same time, they posed for a glamorous photoshoot for Yorkshire Post Magazine, with Dan in a tux and Nadiya in a curve-hugging red gown.
As for Nadiya’s love life—she’s been single since her split from fellow Strictly pro Kai Widdrington.
Kai has since gone public with new partner Chloe Wells, who recently joined him at his Evolution tour launch.