Chris Robshaw profile: He's the England rugby ace with a famous wife taking to Strictly Come Dancing
Harry Rutter | 5:01pm Sat 20 SepChris Robshaw suffered a major blow during his last TV appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, so he’s hoping his Strictly Come Dancing journey is drama-free.
Joining 14 other star-studded household names, the Strictly contestant has his hopes set on the all-important Glitterball Trophy.
The rugby player has got a dazzling CV when it comes to sport, but can he throw some shapes on the dance floor? Here’s everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing hopeful, Chris Robshaw, including his career highlights and who he is married to.
Strictly Come Dancing: Who is Chris Robshaw? How old is he?
Chris Robshaw was born on June 4 1986, which makes him 39 years old. Chris is the middle child, with an older and younger brothers. But sadly, they all suffered a family tragedy in their childhood. At eight years old, Chris and his siblings were forced to cope with the death of their father, Alan. His dad died from a heart attack aged just 40.
Chris’ mother, Patricia, raised the boys alone. Prior to his dad’s death, Chris had started playing rugby. He played for Warlingham RFC in Surrey at the age of seven and attended Cumnor House School, a prep school in south Croydon. The budding sportsman later moved to Millfield Preparatory School and on to Millfield public school, both in Somerset, where he was first team captain for rugby.
Chris Robshaw’s professional rugby career
Chris launched his rugby career once he’d left school. He made his debut with Harlequins RFC in London. Chris stayed with the club for almost all of his professional career. He was also the only player to win the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Award twice.
Chris was also selected to represent his country on the pitch. He played for England from January 2012 until December 2015. He earned 66 caps for England and captained the national team 43 times, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.
In the last year of his professional career, Chris played for the San Diego Legion in the US for a season. His position of choice is in the back row of the scrum. This is usually called the flanker position and is a key part of any squad.
Is Chris Robshaw neurodivergent?
Chris is neurodivergent. He has dyslexia and struggled with it at school, according to his mother Patricia. But rugby gave him an escape from the tough times.
Patricia previously told the Telegraph: “After his father died, he needed something to put his exuberant energy into. He was finding it quite difficult at school. His dyslexia was becoming quite apparent then, and he needed to vent his frustration.”
Chris’ mum said he was “quite angry” as a child and found it “difficult” to express his feelings sometimes. She added: “He could go out and have a good old bash about on the rugby field quite legitimately.”
Is Chris Robshaw married? Who is his famous wife?
Chris Robshaw married soprano singer Camilla Kerslake in June 2018. They officially married on June 26 at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. The couple then jetted to France for a lavish second wedding. Their reception was held at Le Preverger, a stunning chateau in Cote D’Azur.
Camilla is famed for her classical/ pop crossover songs. She was the first signing to Take That star Gary Barlow’s record label and released her debut self-titled album on November 23, 2009. Camilla’s song, How Can I Keep from Singing?, featured in a 2009 Waitrose Christmas advert.
Camilla also performed How Can I Keep From Singing? on ITV’s Popstar to Operastar as a guest performer, with Gary Barlow accompanying her on piano.
Does Chris Robshaw have children?
Chris and Camilla announced on February 8, 2021, they were expecting their first child. The couple welcomed their son, Wilding, that May. Last year, the couple revealed they were having a second child. Chris and Camilla welcomed son Hunter in August 2024.
It wasn’t the most straightforward birth and two ambulances and six paramedics were called for delivery. Camilla had planned a home birth, but her midwives got stuck in traffic.
Camilla told OK! magazine: “At one point things were getting intense.” She added: “It was amazing – dramatic in the middle – but a good story for when he’s older. And I’m even more grateful for the NHS than I was before.”
Chris Robshaw’s stalker “headache”
Ahead of taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, Chris and his wife Camilla have had a lot on their plate. He recently opened up about a “tough situation” and “ongoing headache” they have with an alleged stalker.
The case is still under investigation by the police, but Chris told The Sunday Times last week that he met the stalker at two work events in 2024. It has been alleged the woman has been spreading false rumours about Chris and Camilla.
Chris told the newspaper ahead of his Strictly debut: “This won’t define us and instead, we’ll be focusing on our family and the exciting journey. What should’ve been a time for celebrating our new baby was overshadowed as we were dealing with the horror of this.”
But he added: “Strictly has brought us some joy. It’s nice to hear the family laughing again, even if it is at my expense.”
What happened to Chris Robshaw on Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins?
Strictly Come Dancing isn’t Chris’ first time on reality TV. Last year, he appeared on Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins – and it came to a very dramatic end.
Chris suffered a painful medical emergency during filming in 2014 and was forced to withdraw from the programme immediately. He dislocated his shoulder during a boxing challenge with Love Island star, Ovie Soko.
Within 12 hours of the incident, Chris was put on a flight home. He has since had surgery to repair the damage.
Chris later said: “I’d popped my shoulder out the ligament was loose so it becomes like a catch which keeps opening. So they reattached the ligament to keep it in place. I tried to throw a punch and basically hyperextended my shoulder and it popped out.”
Let’s hope he doesn’t injure himself in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom!
Life after retirement
Chris has now pivoted his life away from the sporting pitch after officially retiring from rugby in 2022. He said his body had “told him” it was finally time to hang up his boots.
Since retiring, he has turned to a white-collar career. Chris briefly worked part-time for Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm that specialises in sport. He was employed as the company’s business development executive.
Chris is the co-owner of an events company and is board member of wedding clothing company called Dress 2 Kill Ltd. He also works as a pundit for broadcasting firm, Premier Sports and co-owns a chain of coffee shops in Hampshire.
Chris is a board member and chair for the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation. The charity supports children from less privileged backgrounds to access sport and music.
Chris Robshaw on Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Chris’ spot in Strictly Come Dancing the line-up was announced on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 in August. The sportsman admits he’s nervous about his latest venture.
“This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets,” he has said. “I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class.”
Hinting at a potential advantage in the ballroom, however, he added: “Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
Hmm, only time will tell!
