Focus celebrates new signing

Dan Walker is the new presenter of Football Focus.

Dan is a familiar face on BBC Sport and has reported on many sporting events including The Open, Wimbledon and the Six Nations, and most recently presented the sports bulletins on the BBC News Channel.

Dan began his broadcasting career at Manchester's Key 103 radio station and has previously worked at Granada television and the BBC's Northwest Tonight.

To find out more about Focus's new presenter, we asked him a few probing questions...

Favourite player
"Growing up my favourite player was Glenn Hoddle. I asked my parents if I could change my name to Glenn for an entire summer - thankfully they decided that was not a good idea.

"My admiration for the mercurial midfielder dwindled somewhat once his mullet grew to what I consider an unacceptable length.

"My favourite player at the moment is Marouane Fellaini at Everton because that hair is just brilliant and having a man that awkward playing in the Premier League is an inspiration to all of us with long arms and legs."

Most memorable match
"It's a toss up between England v Belgium in the World Cup of 1990 and Crawley Town v Northampton Town in the FA Cup of 1991-92.

"Crawley beat them 4-2 en route to the third round but the England game just about edges it because I got stuck down the back of the sofa whilst celebrating David Platt's winner. Took four minutes to get out but it was worth it."

Earliest footballing memory
"Argentina 2 England 1. Estadio Azteca, Mexico, 22 June 1986. Deep pain. I blame Terry Fenwick."

2009/10 football prediction
"Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Manchester City to knock Arsenal out of the top four, Michael Owen to score 25 goals and Burnley to stay up. Oh, and Crawley to finish 11th in the Blue Square Premier."

If you could have any three guests in the Focus studio, who would they be?
"Well if it was any three sportsmen it would be Shun Fujimoto, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov and Eric Liddell but if I have to go for footballers it would be Sir Bobby Robson, Brian Clough and Martin O'Neill with Diego Maradona in the green room as a back-up."

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
"Messi - fewer dives, less hassle, better left foot."

Meat pie or prawn sandwich?
"Pie every time but if it was a corned beef sandwich then the decision would be much tougher."

Cats or dogs?
"Definitely dogs. Cats are evil."

Most-embarrassing on-air moment
"Falling head-first over a wheelie bin whilst interview Jordan - that's the model and sadly not the basketball dude by the way."

What would your autobiography be called?
"It's a pity I'm not a professional boxer because 'Walker's Fists' would fit perfectly. I'm struggling to think of anything good - come back to me in 40 years."

Tell us a joke
"I met a man last week and asked him where he lived. He said, "Isle of Dogs". I said "I love dogs too but where do you live?". Sorry."

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