Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw is one of the contestants on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, but has been going through a difficult time away from the dance floor
Strictly Come Dancing is back on our telly this weekend, with a host of celebs ready to don their sequins and strut their stuff in a bid to win the coveted glitterball trophy.
This series’ line-up boasts acclaimed actors, TV presenters and reality TV stars, as well as several renowned sports personalities. They include ex-Chelsea, Leeds and Netherlands forward Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Lionesses legend Karen Carney, along with sprinter-turned-Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
Also lacing up his dancing shoes is former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw. The 39-year-old earned 66 caps for the Red Roses, led his country at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and clinched a Six Nations Grand Slam the following year.
In addition to his three-year stint as England skipper, Robshaw also spent 15 years with Premiership side Harlequins before ending his career across the pond with San Diego Legion. Having hung up his boots in 2022, he’s ventured into reality TV with an appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins preceding his Strictly gig. With the stage now set for his dancing debut, here’s what you need to know about the former England flanker.
Famous wife
Robshaw is married to classical music sensation Camilla Kerslake. The couple married in a humanist ceremony in Provence in 2018 and have since welcomed two sons: Wilder, born in 2021, and Hunter, who arrived last year.
Kerslake, born in Dulwich to a Welsh mum and Kiwi dad, initially won a spot in an all-girl pop group at 20, but was later dropped. Undeterred, she shifted her focus to classical music, performing in pubs and working men’s clubs, even joining an ABBA tribute band, to fund her singing lessons.
Her determination bore fruit when she was signed to Gary Barlow’s record label in 2009. Since then, she’s sung the national anthem at Wembley, performed for royalty, graced the West End stage, and toured with fellow classical singer Russell Watson.
Together, Robshaw and Kerslake have established their own charity, the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation. Its mission is to offer children a creative outlet where they can socialise and stay active through music and sport.
Discussing the charity, Robshaw said: “Camilla and I are passionate about supporting young people and their families in taking seriously the prospect of a career in the sports or arts. We worry about the future and the growing disparities and think each child should have the same opportunities as any other on and off the pitch.
Kerslake added: “Coming from a working-class background and being in the classical music world hasn’t been easy. I want future generations of working-class artists to have role models like them to aspire to. I’m worried this won’t happen if research continues to show further declines in working class creatives.
“Investing in the arts and in diversity benefits not just our economy but our health, happiness and most importantly brings people together.”
Stalking nightmare
While Robshaw is thrilled about the Strictly challenge, the former England captain has been enduring a troubling chapter in his personal life, after he became the target of a relentless stalking campaign.
The Harlequins icon briefly encountered a woman at two separate professional events last year, and within six months, she allegedly began a harassment campaign against him.
The woman is accused of spreading malicious falsehoods about Robshaw and encouraging others to follow suit, including threats to fabricate lies about him and his opera singer wife to social services.
When the alleged threats escalated to violence, Robshaw contacted police, with the woman believed to have fled the country. She appears on the National Police Wanted List.
The nightmare unfolded around the time that the former rugby star and his wife had welcomed their son Hunter into the world, with Robshaw confessing in an interview with The Times that the “tough” situation remains an “ongoing headache.”
He said: “What should’ve been a time for celebrating our new baby was overshadowed as we were dealing with the horror of this. But Strictly has brought us some joy. It’s nice to hear the family laughing again, even if it is at my expense.”
A close source connected to Robshaw disclosed to the Mirror how he obtained clearance from the investigating officers before committing to join the BBC show.
“Before signing up, he had to tell his case officer that he was doing the show, going as far to ask for their blessing as such,” the source told the publication. “The police were told about Strictly, before he told his own family. He was one of the last celebrities to sign up, because he was taking the right measures to secure his family, before signing on the dotted line”.
Robshaw has also suggested he would be prepared to abandon Strictly if circumstances worsened, with the insider adding: “Chris has made it clear that his family always comes first. He told friends that if this situation ever put Camilla or the children at risk, he’d walk away from Strictly without hesitation.
“He almost pulled out of the show altogether but changed his mind because he wants his son to see him out there, embracing something new and fun. He doesn’t want fear to win.”
Public apology
Back in 2020, Robshaw landed himself in trouble after he and 11 of his Barbarians team-mates violated strict Covid protocols, resulting in their match against England being cancelled entirely. The flanker was part of a group of twelve who broke the Covid-secure bubble at the team hotel to go out for dinner, resulting in their immediate expulsion from the squad.
In the rush to find replacements before the match, another breach of Covid protocols was discovered, leading the RFU to cancel the match entirely. Robshaw later took to social media to publicly apologise, admitting his actions were “irresponsible” and expressing deep remorse for his behaviour.
“I want to express my deepest apologies for breaching the Barbarians’ Covid-19 restrictions by leaving the hotel post training with some of my team-mates,” he stated. “A huge effort went into conducting this match in a safe fashion and it was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect players, staff and the public.
“I understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday’s match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen.”