Shaun Wright-Phillips has admitted he is "dreading" hearing his family's verdict on his dancing ability as he prepares to take part in Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The former England and Manchester City winger is among the celebrities confirmed for the new series, which launches on BBC One on Saturday, September 19.
The 44-year-old football pundit, originally from Greenwich, scored six goals in 36 appearances for England. He is the adopted son of former England international Ian Wright. While football has been central to his life, dancing is largely new territory for him.
Family support and nerves
Speaking to journalists ahead of the launch, Wright-Phillips said joining the 2026 cast was "definitely out of my comfort zone", but expressed genuine enthusiasm about the challenge. "I wanted to challenge myself and learn something new," he added.
He revealed that his loved ones reacted with excitement when they learned of his involvement. "Everyone was crazy excited. I've received a really nice amount of support so far. And then all of a sudden, my inbox was filled with friends and family trying to get their live show ticket orders in," he said.
He was particularly keen to impress his mother, adding: "I know my mum is over the moon that I'm doing it. I guess it will be nice for my kids to see their dad moving some shapes on TV too." However, he confessed to "dreading" his family's feedback, joking: "I'm sure they'll be giving me as much feedback as the Strictly judges."
Advice from a former champion
Wright-Phillips admitted that while nerves rarely trouble him, Strictly is entirely new ground. "I'm not saying I won't be nervous at all, but I'm here to do the best I can, and I have people who are rooting for me, so what will be will be! Right now I feel pretty relaxed - but ask me the same question 10 minutes before the first live show and I might have a different answer," he joked.
He also received guidance from last year's winner, Karen Carney, a fellow footballer. When asked whether any previous contestants had offered advice, he revealed: "Yes - from last year's winner Kaz, in fact. She said to just dive straight into it and don't hold back, so I'll take that advice. I'm going to go for it and do the best I can."
Line-up and presenters
Wright-Phillips said he is most eager to acquire new skills and meet extraordinary people during the journey, with a firm desire to "have as much fun as possible".
This year's celebrity line-up includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis and Melanie Walters.
The 2026 professional dancers include Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola. Five new professional dancers are also joining the roster, with Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita previously confirmed as additions.
For the first time in the show's history, the presenting line-up features three hosts, as Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe take charge of the ballroom. The Strictly Come Dancing launch show airs on BBC One on Saturday, September 19 at 7.25pm.
