Entertainment
Dan Walker reveals full story behind unforgettable time hen party crashed Rio 2016 Olympics coverage
Maria De Cezar made a memorable appearance on BBC Four with Dan Walker (Picture: BBC Sport)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics presenter Dan Walker has recalled the time a hen party crashed his Rio 2016 Olympics coverage and went viral, revealing he’s still in touch with the bride five years later.
In August 2016, while Dan was presenting for BBC Four from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Olympic Games, he and his crew encountered an unexpected disruption from a lively hen party that was passing by.
The bride, Maria De Cezar, was invited onto the broadcast for an impromptu chat, in a moment that was watched by millions as she sent her love to her husband-to-be and encouraged her hen party to chant for the BBC.
In a new tweet, Dan, who’s currently presenting the BBC’s Olympics Breakfast Show with Sam Quek in Tokyo, explained that lots of people have been asking him about what happened after Maria crashed his live broadcast in Rio.
‘5 years ago this week, on Copacabana beach, this happened on live TV…,’ he said, sharing a clip of the unforgettable incident.
The presenter wrote that the following day, Maria’s mother, Hercelia, ‘came down and invited us to the wedding’, before he later received a visit from Maria’s father at the beach.
Unfortunately, Dan was unable to attend the wedding, which took place in September that year.
However, he still ended up playing a massive part in the festivities in a highly amusing way.
‘This is where it gets beautifully bonkers… sadly, I couldn’t make the wedding so @mariadecezar’s mum printed off a picture for all the guests,’ he tweeted, sharing a picture of the bride and groom holding up photos of his face at their nuptials.
Dan then provided an update on how Maria and her husband Everaldo are doing, revealing that their family has grown since he first met her in 2016.
‘Maria remains a friend and is still married to Everaldo. They have a beautiful daughter called Joana,’ he wrote.
Several Twitter users recalled watching the incredible scene unfold at the time, while others sent well-wishes to Maria and Everaldo.
‘Brilliant, thanks for the update. Wishing Maria and hubby a long, healthy and happy marriage,’ one person commented.
‘This is brilliant. It’s so nice that you’ve kept in touch. So lovely,’ another said.
More: BBC
‘Your broadcasts were the best thing about the Olympic coverage that year. Maria was the icing on the cake. Absolute gold,’ someone else tweeted Dan.
A brilliant Olympics story for the ages with an even better ending – what more could you ask for?
The BBC’s Olympics Breakfast Show airs every day from 6am to 9am on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Dan Walker admits he misses breakfast TV rival Piers Morgan: ‘It keeps you on your toes’
