Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw is set to take to the Strictly dancefloor for the first time this weekend
Strictly Come Dancing is set to make its return to television screens this weekend for its 23rd series.
15 fresh celebrities will grace the iconic dance floor for the first time on Saturday (September 20), whilst also being matched with their professional dancing partners.
This year’s line-up features Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, I’m a Celebrity champion Vicky Pattison, Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis and ex-Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.
The eighth celebrity participant to be revealed was former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.
Speaking about his Strictly involvement, Chris commented: “This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
Before the new series launches this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about Chris, reports Surrey Live.
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How old is Chris Robshaw?
Chris is 39 years old. He was born in Redhill, Surrey and was raised alongside two brothers. Chris dealt with the heartbreak of losing his father when he was just five years old, leaving his mother, Patricia, to bring up her sons alone.
Chris began his rugby journey with Warlingham RFC at the age of seven, and was educated at Cumnor House School. He later transferred to Millfield Preparatory School and Millfield public school, where he served as first team captain.
What is Chris Robshaw best known for?
Chris is a former England rugby union player and captain who joined his boyhood club, Harlequins RFC, directly from school and was made captain at just 23 years of age.
He won 66 caps for England and led the national side on 43 occasions, steering them to Six Nations Grand Slam glory in 2016. At club level, he featured in 300 matches for Harlequins RFC, shepherding them through their most triumphant period and becoming the only player to claim the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Award on two occasions.
Did Chris Robshaw struggle with his mental health?
Chris has candidly disclosed how his world collapsed into depression after England’s 2015 Rugby World Cup defeats to Wales and Australia. England notably became the first host nation to crash out of the competition at the pool stage.
Discussing the struggles he endured following the defeat on the My Sporting Mind podcast, Chris previously stated: “The 2015 World Cup was all my emotions wrapped into one.”
He continued: “For me I was hugely depressed. I remember I went back to the room and just held my wife and we just cried. There were tears everywhere and I was blank behind the eyes for a long time after that.
“I became a little bit of a recluse, I didn’t want to go out and I just felt like people were judging me all the time.”
This wasn’t the only hurdle Chris encountered during his career as he also endured a harrowing stalker ordeal.
Is Chris Robshaw married?
Chris tied the knot with his girlfriend of six years, Camilla Kerslake, in a romantic ceremony in France on 29 June 2018. The pair are proud parents to two sons. Their firstborn, Wilding, arrived in 2021, and their second son, Hunter, was welcomed into the world in 2024.
As the new series of Strictly is set to kick off this week, it’s been reported that Chris’s wife Camilla is striking up a friendly relationship with her husband’s professional dance partner, who has already been invited round for dinner.
“Camilla wants to start building a friendship outside the show in a bid to stop any gossiping around the curse,” an insider told The Sun.
“There are plans to spend time together before the series kicks off, and Camilla is looking forward to getting to know Chris’s partner beyond the headlines.
“Chris has said he thinks both women will hit it off as mates, and has joked to people close to him that he’s going to be the third wheel.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One at 6.40pm on Saturday, September 20
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