Camilla Kerslake was absent from the audience for this weekend’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing due to her singing commitments
Former England rugby ace Chris Robshaw had to face the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor without his wife Camilla Kerslake cheering him on this weekend.
Kerslake, 37, is usually a fixture in the audience at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, supporting Robshaw as he twirls with partner Nadiya Bychkova. However, she was notably absent this weekend due to her singing commitments at the Rugby Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford between Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Warriors.
She delivered a powerful performance of the hymn turned rugby anthem ‘Jerusalem’ to thousands of fans in Manchester. Her stirring rendition took place just before Robshaw and Bychkova hit the dance floor for a Thor-inspired rumba to ‘Sweet Child O’Mine.’
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Ahead of her performance, she shared a video of herself rehearsing in an empty stadium. He responded: “Tuning in just before we go on. Perfect timing.”
If anyone was relieved about her absence, it would be Strictly’s notorious judge and ballroom baddie Craig Revel Horwood. He has been particularly harsh on Robshaw, who has only managed to rack up 30 points out of a possible 80 over two weeks.
In a recent chat with the Daily Mail, Kerslake confessed that she was livid with the Australian judge. She revealed: “I hope my big mouth won’t get Chris in the bottom two.
“I was furious last week, a protective wife, and I wanted to climb over the desk and give Craig what for. I’m so protective of my husband. I know how hard he’s working, how much this means to him, and I reacted.”
Robshaw was on the brink of leaving the competition last week. He found himself in the bottom two, but was saved by the judges, with former Apprentice candidate Tom Skinner being the first to leave the competition.
In an emotional Instagram post, Robshaw emphasised how much the competition means to him.
He said: “Hi everyone. I’m going to try and put how I feel into words – which you guys know is not my strong point (cheers dyslexia). The first thing I want to say is thank you. When I started this show I never thought I’d end up loving to dance.
“I can admit that I never thought that beyond being a dad to two amazing boys, that the dance floor would give me back by purpose. This show has made me feel like an athlete again. A feeling that I have missed. I don’t think I realised how much I missed it, until I joined the show.
“I know I am not the best dancer, but I hope you can see some potential in me, and I’m worthy of your vote. I want to improve and to continue on this journey for as long as I can. I don’t want to let @nadiyabychkova down. I don’t want to let you guys down. I promise you I am trying my best.
“I’ve even started to waltz in my dreams, it’s on my mind a lot. I’m under no illusion I’m a great dancer, but I promise you I am trying my best.”