<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Accountants
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration
statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Dan River Inc. Nonqualified 401(k) and
Deferred Compensation Plan for Highly Compensated Employees and Directors of our
report dated February 4, 2000, except for the last paragraph in Note 14, as to
which the date is March 1, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Dan River Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended January 1, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
December 20, 2000