We were delighted to welcome broadcaster Dan Walker to Birkdale on Monday. Living locally, we were thrilled when Dan agreed to visit to give two talks – firstly at the Senior School and then with the younger children at the Prep School.

Dan firstly explained how his love of words and language inspired him to become a journalist. He has been lucky enough to cover 5 Olympic Games, present Football Focus and BBC Breakfast amongst many other things. Dan explained that his job in broadcasting enables him to ask the right questions.

This was followed by an uplifting and motivational talk about never giving up and he shared three of the most inspirational people to him.

He spoke of his Strictly dance partner, professional and former world champion Nadiya Bychkova, who patiently taught Dan to dance. By his own admission he never thought he would last 3 months in the competition, but her determination to never give up inspired Dan to achieve something he thought was impossible.

The second inspirational person was Tony Foulds who he met by chance in Endcliffe Park. This chance meeting led to the amazing flypast in 2019. Birkdale Prep School had part funded the flagpole which is now placed at the Mi Amigo memorial in the park.

Finally he spoke of Eric Liddell who, at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, as a Christian refused to run in the heats for his favoured 100 metres because they were held on a Sunday. Instead he competed in the 400 metres held on a weekday, a race that he won.

We are so grateful to Dan for taking the time to visit us and hope to welcome him back very soon.