Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed he broke down backstage after his Strictly Come Dancing dance-off, confessing he has "never been so emotionally vulnerable". The former England footballer opened up during a 'Team Hobbits therapy session' on Instagram with his partner Alexis Warr.
Reflecting on the dance-off against actress Melanie Walters, Shaun said: "When I walked off after the first dance, I kinda knew where I'd made the errors. But I still thought over the grand scheme of things, as I said to you [Alexis], I was mad satisfied because I actually completed the routine. And then obviously you get the marks and it's a little bit deflating."
Emotional Backstage Moment
When Alexis asked what he was thinking as the music played and the safe couples were announced, Shaun admitted: "It kind of felt like we were going to be in the dance off. I was kind of... not preparing myself because I don't think there is a way to prepare yourself for that."
He added: "Getting ready for the dance off, I don't think I drank that much water in that short space of time and it just evaporated. It was all a lot at that point. But then we do the dance off and after the dance off, I don't think I've felt that emotionally vulnerable before in my life."
Alexis then revealed that, in an unaired moment, Shaun became overwhelmed after the routine. She said: "We finished the dance off, we walked backstage and yeah, he just started tearing up and just saying like 'I'm proper emotional'. And I just wanted to give you the biggest hug. It was an emotional moment."
Judges' Decision and Fan Support
Shaun admitted he struggled to explain to his family why he became so overcome, adding: "Nobody sees me cry, I'm not a crier. If I'm gonna cry or my eyes fill up, it's normally in the privacy of myself."
Shaun and Alexis had impressed the judges with their Quickstep to I'm a Believer by The Monkees, while Melanie and her partner Aljaz performed a Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit by Gina G. Head judge Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Shaun and Alexis, as did Anton Du Beke, who held the deciding vote, resulting in Melanie's departure.
Supporters flooded the Instagram comments section with messages of backing, with one writing: "I think you are doing amazing Shaun. It's so incredibly impressive to take on something like dance and give it your absolute all." Another said: "Keep going, doing yourself absolutely proud." A third remarked: "Nice one Wrighty! Sounds like therapy was good to open up and shed a tear, respect!"
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.30pm.
