SH0CK: Strictly announce England football legend as tenth celebrity on 2026 series
Strictly Come Dancing has revealed that the former England star will be swapping his footy boots for dancing shoes on the upcoming series of the BBC One show
Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips is the tenth celebrity contestant on this year’s Strictly(Image: PA Wire)
Strictly Come Dancing has announced that former England footy star Shaun Wright-Phillips will be taking to the dancefloor later this year. The 44-year-old has played for England as well as clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.
The likes of EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Love Island’s Dani Dyer and Big Brother host Will Best have already been confirmed for the line-up of the 2026 series, which will air in the Autumn.
The official Strictly Instagram account revealed on Thursday (July 30) that the former footballer and pundit is the tenth celebrity on the line-up for the 2026 series. Alongside a pic of Shaun, they wrote: “Time to lace up the dancing shoes. Welcome to #Strictly former England international footballer @shaunwp98!”
Wright-Phillips played 36 caps for England during his playing career(Image: PA)
Shaun said: “Dancing is in my blood—but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!”
He added: “I am very excited to announce, I am joining the class of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. I’m really hoping I can chuck some shapes and make everyone proud.”
He is the son of footy legend and ITV pundit Ian Wright(Image: ITV)
Wright-Phillips, the son of footy icon Ian Wright, has now become a football pundit and broadcaster, appearing on the BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports.
Wright-Phillips will join Lacey Turner, Eurovision singer Delta Goodrem, Dani Dyer, celeb hairstylist Chris Appleton, Love Island’s Cach Mercer, Will Best, Olympian Dame Sarah Storey, actress Jaime Winstone and House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia on the upcoming series.
This year’s Strictly will be the first without hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who announced their departure from the show last year. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will now be fronting the show.
