Strictly Come Dancing's Shaun Wright-Phillips declares 'I'm in it to win it' as he reveals bold game plan
From football to foxtrotStrictly Come Dancing star Shaun Wright-Phillips is already trying his best to ‘dance like a professional’ despite the first live show not even airing yet, he has exclusively revealed.
The former England footballer, 44, will tonight make his Strictly debut as fans tune in to the highly-anticipated launch show.
Shaun will discover who his professional partner is during the pre-recorded programme.
They better be prepared for the sportsman’s competitive nature, that’s for certain.
Not only is Shaun planning on lifting the Glitterball Trophy, he has also made another bold claim.
Shaun is trying to get “as close as possible” to dancing like a professional before the live shows have even begun!
Strictly Come Dancing’s Shaun Wright-Phillips ‘in it to win it’
Shaun exclusively spoke to TVGuide, via Betway, ahead of his first on-screen appearance in Strictly Come Dancing.
When asked what his chances are of winning the Glitterball Trophy, he replied: “If I could get into the final, I would because I’m enjoying it that much. I want to go as far as I can go with it. So I’m in it to win it.”
Shaun added: “But the competition is more with myself. I’m trying to get as close to the pros in executing the dances as possible. I know I’m not going to get that close, but in my head that’s how I think.”
Shaun has already been in Strictly training for several weeks. He describes the professional dancers as “wicked teachers”. In fact, Shaun has even been left in disbelief at their expertise.
“The way they teach for me is incredible,” he says. “You’ve got to remember they’re teaching us mirrored. People aren’t thinking about it
“They’re not teaching us face on, they’re teaching us like we’re looking at a reflection. With what they’ve taught us so far and the things we’ve had to practice, for me, I just shake my head.
“I’m just like, ‘How do you do it?’ They’re so good.”
Shaun reveals ‘hardest thing about Strictly’
Shaun was also happy to spill the tea on the one thing he is finding the toughest in training. And it is something that on paper should be quite simple.
“It’s having to count your steps when you’re practicing,” Shaun admits: “Normally when you dance, if you’re dancing out, you’re a free spirit, so you don’t count nothing. Your body just goes where the music and the beat goes.
“Now it’s precise, because if you don’t do it precisely, you’re going to be one step out, which messes up that part of the routine. Then you have to think about, ‘How do you correct it without it looking like to people that you’ve made a mistake?’
“So it is techy, it is techy, but I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying the challenge.”
We can’t wait to see who Shaun is partnered with!
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2026’s Graeme Hall: How much he costs to hire to how tall he really is
