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Chris Robshaw has been hit with devastating family news

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Robshaw has dealt heartbreaking family news ahead of tomorrow’s live show. The rugby player, 39, is due to perform a salsa with professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova tomorrow – but behind-the-scenes, he’s been dealing with a family emergency.

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Chris and his wife Camilla have been “an emotional mess” after their dog Rico became unwell with kidney failure. The 13-year-old canine, who Strictly’s Chris calls his first child, is said to be declining rapidly following his shock diagnosis.

“Chris is holding it together as best he can but he’s a huge softy at heart and Rico’s diagnosis has knocked him for six,” a source told The Mirror. “Camilla and Chris are trying to stay strong for their two boys, but it’s been an emotional time.

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Chris and his wife Camilla are said to be an “emotional mess”(Image: WireImage)

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Chris Robshaw with his sons after last week’s Movie Week

“He’s been wearing sunglasses where possible to hide his eyes, as it’s been so upsetting.” They added that Chris is worried that he won’t be there in case Rico’s health becomes worse.

“Camilla has been posting the dog a lot on her socials, without much context, but the diagnosis has been tough to swallow,” they said. “Chris hates fuss, so he’s been keeping things quiet.”

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Despite the tough news, Chris will be performing tomorrow night as he “doesn’t want to let the viewers down”. The source said: “Whilst being professional and turning up for rehearsals, staying late and dancing for more than eight hours a day, he’s feeling deflated at the moment.”

It’s yet another blow to the family after Chris was targeted by an alleged female stalker ahead of his Strictly debut. The sportsman is said to have almost pulled the plug on his time at the BBC competition before it began over fears that the woman would become a threat.

A spokesperson for Chris told the Mirror in August: “This is an ongoing police investigation, and therefore we are unable to comment at this time. Chris will not be commenting further.”

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Last month, Chris revealed that his singer wife Camilla laughed at him when he revealed that he would be signing up to Strictly. The couple married in France in 2018 and share sons Wilding, four, and one-year-old Hunter.

Chris told Heat magazine that his wife knows “all about my dance moves” but later reassured him that she backed his decision. He explained: “She was like, ‘Look, it’s a great opportunity. It’s amazing, so go and do it, we’ll support you’.”