‘Well-known’ ex-England, Man City & Chelsea ace signs for Strictly – and is set to prove popular with fans as ‘underdog’

STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have netted a football star called ‘Wrighty’ to appear on the show – but it’s not Ian, it’s his son Shaun Wright-Phillips. The former England, Man City and Chelsea ace, 44, is aiming to score with the judges on the new series. Strictly bosses have signed former England, Man City and Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips, who will swap the football pitch for the dancefloor Credit: Rex Show bosses hope Shaun’s 62-year-old sports legend dad Ian – now a popular TV pundit – will be a regular studio guest on the live Saturday night show Credit: PA And the BBC’s producers are delighted to have landed him. They expect Shaun’s 62-year-old sports legend dad Ian – now a popular TV pundit – to be a regular studio guest on the live Saturday night show. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The pair are known to be extremely close since Ian adopted Shaun and his younger brother Bradley in the 1980s. Ian was in a relationship with their mum Sharon Phillips. A source said: “Shaun is a well-known name and face to football fans. He played for England in the 2010 World Cup and made lots of appearances in the Premier League. “Strictly bosses are delighted to have landed Shaun as a contestant as footballers always bring a different audience to the show and often prove popular with viewers as underdogs in the competition. “Also the producers are excited that Ian will appear in the studio audience regularly, and will no doubt be full of enthusiasm.” Last year (2025) Shaun appeared on-screen with new Strictly host Emma Willis, 50, on ITV’s Cooking With The Stars. Most read in TV Other contestants confirmed to be taking part in the all-new series this year include Paralympian Sarah Storey, 48, Dani Dyer, 29, EastEnders and actress Lacey Turner, 38, They will be joined by Aussie singer Delta Goodrem, 41, Big Brother host Will Best, Love Islander Cach Mercer, 25, and Kim Kardashian’s hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43. Comment now