Week after week, he has been impressing the judges and the viewers at home with his incredible footwork on Strictly Come Dancing. But in a new interview, Danny Mac has revealed he struggles with panic attacks every night before a live show.
"I've had anxiety attacks," he told The Mirror. "I've panicked like I have never panicked in my life. It's strange to be woken up in the middle of the night. It's going through my head all the time. It's exhausting."
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© Photo: BBCDanny Mac has revealed he struggles with panic attacks
Although he is very aware that "10 million people are watching", the former Hollyoaks actor confessed he is still enjoying every minute of the whole experience. "I'm loving it," he added. "It's probably one of the most enjoyable things I have done in my life, one of the greatest experiences. I've been dreaming of being able to dance like this since I was a kid - but it's only ever been an idea in my head."
© Photo: BBC"I've panicked like I have never panicked in my life," the Strictly star said
On Saturday, Danny and his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse stormed straight to the top of the leader board by scoring a remarkable 40 for their dazzling samba - the first celebrity ever to land 40 for a samba in Strictly history. After the dancing the routine to Sergio Mendes' Magalenha, head judge Len Goodman remarked: "He's a tease, started slow and all of a sudden…! Your hips were like a snake! Hotter and steamier than the Amazonian jungle."
"I found the open shirt a slight distraction… We never get that hip action from a male celebrity," teased hard-to-please Craig Revel-Horwood, while Darcey Bussell added: "To achieve that in one week! It was like the perfect samba masterclass."
