Chris Robshaw for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 / BBC
Chris Robshaw has revealed that a motivation to do something that “scared” him convinced him to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing.
The 39-year-old served as captain of the England rugby team between 2012 and 2015, retiring from the professional game almost three years ago.
“As you get older, I feel like you get less opportunities to really push yourself out of your comfort zone,” Robshaw, who is partnered with Nadiya Bychkova on the show, told press.
“My wife asked me ‘When was the last time you really did something that scared you?’ and that was a real motivator to take part. It’s that combination of learning a new skill, letting yourself go and pushing yourself.
“When you retire from sport, it is hard to find any adrenaline that matches going out onto the pitch, so I think Strictly gives the perfect opportunity for that. Even though as I said, I am very much out of my comfort zone! My mum has said I should come along to her Zumba classes to practice… I should perhaps start to consider that.”
He continued: “It’s a whole different ball game [from rugby] in every way. I guess the regular feedback from the judges is the only thing that makes it slightly similar, as when you’re a sportsperson you obviously have to deal with constant feedback, both positive and negative. So at least I’m well prepared in that sense!
“But other than that, dancing is completely different in every way – though maybe I’ll be good at a lift?”
Strictly Come Dancing‘s first live show airs Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
