Dan Walker says he's missed out on amazing jobs because of his Christian beliefs
Dan Walker has spoken about his faith and the decision not to work on Sundays - insisting it has "worked for me" but he has tried to "never give another reason not to employ me".
Former BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan, 47, admitted he has missed out on"amazing jobs" hosting sport and other events in the past with his decision to devote Sundays to his faith and family.
Quizzed about the decision not to work on Sundays in a new interview he said: "I've never done it to prove anybody wrong. I just need that sort of day when my family knows I am going to be there and it's a day to do something a little bit different. My sister's a nurse; she works on Sunday. Obviously my dad's a pastor so he used to work every Sunday."
Dan Walker
He continues in Sorted magazine: "But it's worked for me. And I know there are plenty of things that I've not been able to do over the years, amazing jobs that I've turned down, but I'm very happy with that decision. I've never tried to give anybody another reason not to employ me. I also make a very good cup of tea which is important.
"That's how I got my first job in radio. I sent my CV with two tea bags stapled to the top. And I said 'you've probably got thousands of CVs for this, but nobody will make a cup of tea as well as I can. And if you invite me in for an interview, I'll also make you one'. And he did."
Walker has now been at Channel Five for almost two years, front TV series and the 5 News at 5. He lives with his wife Sarah and three children in Sheffield. His dad was a pastor and he’s been a practising Christian since an early age.
On his faith he told Sorted magazine: "As a 12-year-old I realised I needed help. I couldn't do things on my own. And there was a guy speaking in church that night about Jesus Christ and what it meant to be Christian. That was the clincher for me. The next day I was probably still a very annoying 12-year-old. But I think I've tried to live in the light of that ever since.
He added: "I don't mind asking big, deep, meaningful questions. I don't have all the answers but I feel I trust in a god who does. It's OK to come at life from different angles and opinions.
"We can discuss those things without falling out, without getting angry, but learning a little bit about someone else's point of view. I often change my opinion about things because I've changed how I look at something and spent time with someone who understands it better than I do."
Dan Walker
Dan Walker also says when he is broadcasting on radio or TV he tries to make viewers think he is down to earth so they would want to go out for a curry with him.
On his audiences he explained: "You laugh with them when you need to laugh with them, you put your arm around them when you need to put your arm around them.
"You probably learn to get better at that over the years, but it's about making sure that the audience, whether they're on the radio or on the telly, feel comfortable in your presence.
"Whether I'm presenting the World Cup final, or Classic FM Breakfast, or some big significant moment in the news, whatever it might be - I like to think that at the end of that, the person listening or watching would think, 'do you know what? I could go for a curry with him'."
- The full interview with Dan is in the latest Sorted magazine, out now.
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