Jeremy Vine doesn’t mind being criticised on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ because it teaches his daughters they don’t have to be perfect.
The BBC Radio 2 DJ has received a number of harsh comments from the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman – during his time on the show but is yet to be sent home by the public and he believes his positive attitude has been the perfect example for his two young daughters.
He explained: "Our target needn’t just be life’s ‘Strictly’ glitterball trophies. You can enjoy yourself, as I truly have on my dancing journey, even if you aren’t the best of the bunch. It’s a message I want to portray to my daughters – and it’s one that still struggles to get through to our youngsters today."
The 50-year-old presenter confessed that while he knows he’s not the best dancer, he still works as hard, if not harder, than the other celebrities.
Jeremy also admitted he was worried about how his daughters Martha, 11, and Anna, eight, would react to the judges’ comments but was shocked by how well they dealt with them.
He added: "My humiliation at the hands of Len, Craig, Bruno and Darcey has been worth it, just for that: to know that my daughters can see that it’s not just victory that counts.
"So my message to my girls is: ‘Accept yourself.’ It could be that all the work in the world doesn’t get you into life’s ‘Strictly’ finals. But that doesn’t mean you have failed.
"The hardest times I have had in my life have been caused by blaming myself for not doing enough, or doing the wrong thing, or making a mistake."
Jeremy Vine uses Strictly Come Dancing to inspire daughters
