Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has been announced as the tenth celebrity contestant for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. The 44-year-old sportsman shared that the dance competition is outside his usual sphere but expressed excitement for the challenge ahead.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 30, via the official social media channels for @bbcstrictly, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Wright-Phillips, who earned 36 caps for England, had a professional football career that included stints with Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, and American clubs New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC. He transitioned to a career in broadcasting and punditry, working with outlets such as the BBC, Sky Sports, and ITV, and has served as a Manchester City club ambassador since 2020.
He joins a previously announced lineup that includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, and Bethany Antonia. Further cast members are expected to be revealed throughout the summer.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled to begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September. Fellow contestants Lacey Turner and Dani Dyer have also shared their anticipation for the show. Turner, an EastEnders star, admitted to being both excited and terrified but eager to learn a new skill. Dyer is set to make a return to the ballroom after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals for the previous season, with BBC bosses confirming an open door for her subsequent return.
Professional dancers have already commenced their preparations, with a glimpse inside the first day of rehearsals shared on Instagram. Among the returning professionals are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, and Jowita Przystal. Carlos Gu, who won the previous season with footballer Karen Carney, will also be returning, alongside other established pros. The professional dancer lineup has seen some changes, with five new faces joining the team for the autumn season, following the departure of several long-serving professionals.