HE is a married rugby hunk, she a Strictly Come Dancing siren.
So the laws of Strictly physics suggest Chris Robshaw, partnered for the BBC show’s new series with pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova, is at risk from its infamous curse on relationships.
But as the duo prepare for this Saturday’s first live episode, former England rugby captain Chris, who has two kids with opera singer Camilla Kerslake, is not in the slightest bit worried his marriage could be in jeopardy.
In fact the 39-year-old insists he will be pleased if he sets tongues wagging by performing steamy routines with Ukrainian beauty Nadiya, 36.
He says of their pairing: “I’m not worried about the Strictly curse.
“Surely if people think there’s something going on between us, we must be doing something right.
“It means we’ve managed to create a sense of chemistry for the show, and we are performing well.
“Nadiya and I are a team, both totally focused on the dancing and giving it our all week by week.
“Plus, Camilla and I are solid, she’s incredibly supportive, and we have a lot of trust in our marriage. Family is everything to me.”
Chris admits he “hit the jackpot” by being put with Nadiya, who at 5ft 8in will not be too dwarfed by her 6ft 2in dance partner.
He says: “She’s a world champion, a top athlete in her field, and I massively respect her. It’s just down to me to deliver the rest — so no pressure.
“We are a team, and we both want to head in the same direction — and that direction is hopefully not in the bottom two.”
To achieve their shared mission he is not afraid to ramp up his own sex appeal, which includes getting in shape and showing off the body he developed during two decades on the rugby pitch before finally retiring three years ago.
He played for London side Harlequins from 2005 to 2020, during which time he also captained England for three years, then from 2021 to 2022 he was signed to San Diego Legion in California.
Stepping up for Strictly, Chris has the total backing of Camilla, who realises flashing some flesh might be weapon to deploy at a key moment in the contest.
Chris, who lives in Surrey with his wife and their two sons, Wilding, four, and 14-month-old Hunter, hopes to win over Strictly judges including hard-to-please Craig Revel Horwood — of whom he remarks:
“He makes some of my old rugby coaches seem like kittens.”
But he was this week photographed for Strictly in a floral suit, and says: “Camilla was the first to admit she thought my outfits were going to be sexier, and she’s encouraging me to choose sexier options.
“She wants to see me wearing more thirst-trap outfits — that’s her words, not mine.
FLASH OF MUSCLE
“But I’ve been doing lots of ice- bath therapy to keep in shape. My body isn’t what it used to be, and I’ve got to keep up with the younger guys on the show.
“I used to eat a bowl of spag bol in the bath before a rugby game, and now I’m having to lay off the carbs to stay as limber as possible.”
“I’m going to embrace the Strictly experience and just go for it, even if it means wearing something sparkly and see-through.
“But it will take more than just flashing a bit of muscle to distract the judges from my footwork. I’m under no illusion, I know the dancing is really the only way I can win over the judges, and that’s my worry.”
Chris also realises he is up against some pretty athletic blokes, including former Billy Elliot star, dancer and actor Lewis Cope, 30, as well as ex-Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, aka Nitro from TV’s Gladiators.
So if he needs to show off his physique to get an advantage he will give it his best shot.
He says with a laugh: “Whatever it takes to get a ten, I’ll give the Strictly Come Dancing viewers what they want.
“But I can’t imagine anybody wants to see my dad bod when you’ve got the likes of Harry on the show. They have made me up my muscle game — I try to avoid standing next to Harry during filming, because he has the body and charm of a champ.
“I’ve lifted more weights in the last few weeks than I have done in years, because of that guy.”
He adds that there is plenty of other competition, too: “I am dancing against some of the most lovable faces in telly, who have millions of social media followers.
“A couple of people have come out in the press and said I’ll be first to leave, which is always a little disheartening.
“I know I haven’t got the biggest following, and I’m on the back foot as am having to learn what the TikTok trends are and keep up with the cool young ones.
“But I’m hoping people can see I really want to be here.
“It’s given me back a purpose — I’ve missed the adrenaline of being on the pitch, and Strictly has bought me lots of joy. I thought I’d feel so out of place, but I’m loving it.”
Chris is not the first rugby player to dance on the show — there have been plenty over the years, although the results varied enormously.
Former England star Matt Dawson finished second in 2006 with Russian pro dancer Lilia Kopylova, after he retired from rugby earlier that year.
Scotland’s Kenny Logan was fifth in 2007 with partner Ola Jordan, two years after quitting rugby, and England’s Austin Healey made it to the quarter finals in 2008 with New Zealand-born Erin Boag, two years after hanging up his boots.
Other rugby players who have made big impressions on the show include Scotsman Thom Evans and former England aces Ugo Monye in 2021 and Ben Cohen, in 2013.
Ben ended up splitting from his then wife, Abby Cohen, and starting a relationship with his Russian dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Ben and Kristina, who have a nine-year-old daughter, split last year.
Chris admits he is not a natural mover on the dancefloor but insists his rugby past will be of at least some help on Strictly.
He says: “One advantage of having strength from rugby is going to be the lifts. I’ve lost a bit of that power I had but it’s enough to still get Nadiya above my head.
“So, yeah, you can expect quite a few of those moves in there and Nadiya is pretty fearless when it comes to that kind of thing. I’m the one that’s worried.
“I’ve had my fair share of injuries over the years. I dislocated my shoulder on another show [Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins last year] and had to put it back in myself. So I hope my body plays ball on this one.
“I’m having a great time on the show, and I want to stay in as long as possible.
“I’ve been taking training very seriously. I can’t imagine my compression socks will make me a sex symbol but I’m taking no risks.”
The dangers all Strictly contestants face were brought into focus this week when Dani Dyer dropped out of the competition after injuring herself in rehearsals.
It turned out Love Islander Dani, 29, fractured her foot and was told she would have to pull out.
Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators will be showing off his dance moves on this year’s show.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston has signed up.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain.
- Eastenders actress Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has been confirmed.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, joins Strictly.
- Dani Dyer pulled out with injury and has been replaced by Love Island winner Amber Davies.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein became the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing
- I’m a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant.
- Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
Chris says: “We were all so heartbroken for Dani, it’s incredible bad luck to be injured so badly before even the first live show.
“I thought she could go all the way and win it. But it’s doctor’s orders, and we all wish her a speedy recovery. I know we are all gutted to see her go.
“I’m sure we’ll all be thinking of her when we do our first live-show dances — and we know she’ll be wishing us all well from the sideline.
“It goes to show how much work and training goes into the show. I’m used to being battered on the rugby pitch and suffering all sorts of injuries but, don’t be fooled by the sequins and glitter, dancing is just as tough — in a different way.
“Funnily enough, playing rugby and doing Strictly aren’t as different as you’d think — there’s lots of physical contact, grappling, a couple of two steps and lots of competition and passion.
“Except you don’t usually end up coming off the dancefloor with a broken nose or black eye. I hope not, anyway. Let’s see how it goes.”
- Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One tomorrow night at 6.55pm.
