Shaun Wright-Phillips said Karen Carney told him to “just dive straight into it and don't hold back” ahead of his Strictly Come Dancing stint. He said he will take that advice as he prepares for the launch show on 19 September on One and iPlayer.
Karen Carney’s advice
Wright-Phillips said he plans to follow Carney’s approach and “go for it and do the best I can.” Last year’s winner had already gone through the same pressure on the show, and her advice gives him a simple instruction for his first live appearance: commit early and avoid hesitation.
He said, “I don't get overly nervous in general, but this is obviously something that's really new to me.” That matters because he is stepping into a format he has not done before, even as he keeps his focus on the performance rather than the nerves.
Strictly Come Dancing on 19 September
Strictly Come Dancing is due to return to screens next week, with the launch show set for 19 September on One and iPlayer. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are stepping in to oversee the show this year.
Wright-Phillips said, “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!”
For viewers, the immediate watchpoint is whether he can turn Carney’s advice into a settled first performance. His own words suggest the early test is not whether he feels pressure now, but how he handles the final minutes before he goes live.
