The Hollyoaks' actor gives '100 per cent credit' to his professional partner for him making it through to Saturday's live grand final...
Danny Mac insists he’s found every routine he's performed on Strictly Come Dancing a ‘challenge’ despite suggestions he had extensive dance training prior to joining the BBC1 show.
The former Hollyoaks actor will compete alongside singer Louise Redknapp and BBC sports reporter Ore Oduba to win the coveted glitterball trophy in the Strictly final on Saturday night.
Danny (left) with fellow Strictly finalists Ore Oduba (centre) and Louise Redknapp (right)
At a press conference with the final three in London ahead of the big night, Danny – who's partnered on the show with South African pro dancer Oti Mabuse – told reporters: "I honestly cannot explain how much of a challenge every single routine has been Monday and Tuesday - and a lot of times through to Wednesday and Thursday. No matter what Oti gives me to do, if it’s working, then Oti will make it harder, she’ll push me and push me."
He went on: "That’s why I feel like I’ve achieved so much out of this because no one day has ever been easy. I've always gone into Saturday just clinging onto what I've learned that week and been on a knife-edge of 'It could always go wrong'. It's never been perfect but the sense of achievement when you get there, because it's never been easy, I can't explain how brilliant that is.”
Danny and Oti performing an American Smooth in last week's semi-final
While some fans on Twitter had criticised Danny earlier in the series for being 'too good, too soon', he was keen to set the record straight on how much dance training he's actually had.
"My dance background is three years at drama school, I'd never danced before and I've never danced since. I was never going to be a dancer, I've never been employed as one, it was just part of my training at drama school," he says. "So if that puts me at a disadvantage, then that would be a shame."
He added: "The thing that bothers me most, is that I know what I came into this competition with and anything I’ve achieved, being given credit to [my history], would be taking everything away from Oti, which wouldn’t be fair. I give 100 per cent credit to what I’ve achieved on this show to her.”
Whether Danny gets to take away the glitterball trophy on Saturday night remains to be seen – but he says he'll definitely walk away having made lots of new pals among the Strictly Class of 2016.
"We've just become the most unlikely group of friends, it's unbelievable; I have the coolest Whatsapp group in the world," says Danny. "Even when people have left the show they're still on the group, they're still supporting us, they still message and send photos – it's brilliant. I'm so proud to be a part of it."
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final can be seen on Saturday December 17 at 6.40pm on BBC1.
