Chelsea Legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink ISSUES HEARTFELT ANNOUNCEMENT on Why He Signed Up for Strictly
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has revealed he is swapping football boots for ballroom shoes to inspire his children. The 53-year-old former Chelsea and Leeds striker has signed up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – but insists his motivation has nothing to do with money. Instead, Jimmy said he wants to show his four daughters the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. Speaking to The Sun’s TV Biz column, he explained: “The finances were not a driver for me.
“The drive is more about showing my girls that I can put myself in a vulnerable position and try to learn a new skill, try to compete and work hard to become better and be open-minded.” The ex-Atletico Madrid star said the BBC series is a family staple in the Hasselbaink household. “I was contacted by the producers,” he revealed. “It’s a show that we as a family have always watched. On a Saturday, we’d all sit together, after our dinner, and watch it, and then on Sunday, we’d watch the results. It’s a big thing for us.”
Jimmy – who also managed Burton Albion and Northampton Town – admitted swapping the pitch for the dance floor is a daunting challenge, but one he’s ready for.
“Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before, but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.”
When appearing on The Overlap, the retired Premier League star revealed that he was “nervous as hell” but determined to tackle the challenge for his daughters.
“I have only girls in my house. So we do girly things, we’re always doing dancing and make-up and Strictly is a show that we as a family have always watched all through the years.
“I’ve got videos of the girls when they are eight or nine dancing in the background, so it’s more for them.”
Jimmy went on to say he was “nervous as hell” and admitted the hit show is “out of my comfort zone.” However, he admitted that the professional sportsman in him “wants to win”.
Jimmy poses with his daughter Miah (Image: Instagram )
His signing was confirmed during the August 11 episode of BBC’s The One Show. He will be joined by 14 other celebrities, all competing to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Among them are Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, better known as Nitro from Gladiators, Love Island star Dani Dyer, and Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston.
Also taking to the floor are YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, and trailblazing model Ellie Goldstein, the first model with Down Syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue.
Other famous names include RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix, ex-England rugby ace Chris Robshaw, The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner, reality favourite Vicky Pattison, and Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis.
Good Morning Britain’s Los Angeles correspondent Ross King, former England women’s footballer Karen Carney, and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope complete the line-up. Cope stepped in after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew for medical reasons.
