Shaun Wright-Phillips dealt major blow to BBC Strictly victory hopes just hours before first elimination
Shaun Wright-Phillips could be heading for an early exit from the ballroom this weekend, according to worrying new data about the footballer’s chances.
Ahead of the first elimination of the series, Mr Wright-Phillips’s hopes of glory have been dealt a blow as he’s emerged as the most likely celeb to be sent home first.
The data comes after he finished joint bottom of the Week One leaderboard alongside partner Alexis Warr.
Their Cha-Cha earned them a lowly 15 points from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr made their debuts on the dance floor last week
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BBC
Mr Wright-Phillips was joined at the foot of the leaderboard by Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec, and Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon.
But despite him not being alone in last place heading into Week Two, bookmakers are convinced he’ll be the first contestant sent packing.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, confirmed the blow to Mr Wright-Phillips’s hopes: “It’s not the opening week Shaun Wright-Phillips will have been hoping for, with the former Manchester City star now odds-on to be the first celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing.
“With City making headlines for all the wrong reasons at the moment, Wright-Phillips becoming the odds-on favourite to be the first to go is perhaps another unwanted headline for the club’s supporters.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr laughed off the judges’ criticism
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BBC
“Sarah Storey is next in the betting at 7/4, while Chris Appleton and Melanie Walters are priced at 5/1 and 6/1 respectively.”
Mr Wright-Phillips is currently priced at 10/11, the odds-on favourite to miss out on a Week Three spot.
The former Chelsea midfielder will be hoping to prove the bookies wrong when he and Ms Warr perform a Salsa to You Should Be Dancing from Saturday Night Fever this weekend.
And he’ll also be hoping for better feedback too. After joining Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis at the judges’ table last weekend, the reception was mixed.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr took on a Cha-Cha in Week One
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BBC
“I liked it. I liked it because I’m just being friendly,” Ms Mabuse remarked, prompting laughter from the former footballer.
She then turned her attention to Mr Wright-Phillips’s performance: “Shaun, if there was ever a time in life to be shy, it’s not today.
“You are so cute doing that, because I can see that as a student, you’re doing the footwork, you’re doing the arms, you’re doing everything she tells you. You’re looking to the side, and you did it all really not bad at all.
“But this is dancing, and the joy you’re feeling, and I’m sure there’s a joy in there; we want to feel it with you. Share it with us. It’s kept all inside.”
Craig Revel Horwood was particularly scathing of Shaun and Alexis
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BBC
She signed off: “I would say to you this: fake it till you make it. If you’re not feeling it, it doesn’t matter, fake it. Just, like, put it on the dance floor. Don’t be scared.”
Ms Ballas did her best to remain positive, telling the footballer: “I’m not worried too much about the personality. Let me tell you first of all what I was impressed with.
“You danced a checked forward walk, and a checked forward walk is used to change direction. And you changed direction superbly. It came from one heel to the other.”
The ballroom expert highlighted a number of other areas where Mr Wright-Phillips showed technical ability before signing off: “There was so much here to like, with room for improvement. You had some good choreography in there, along with your tricks and flicks and everything else that you did.
Shaun Wright-Phillips played for several Premier League clubs over his career including Man City, Chelsea and QPR | PA
“You have promise, darling. You work on your personality, but keep that footwork for me.”
Mr Du Beke gushed: “You’re great. I liked it a lot. It’s absolutely charming. I’m in agreement with everything Shirley said. You’re absolutely charming. You have an element of, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing it. This is amazing. Have you seen who I’m dancing with? This is amazing.’
“But having said that, you were bang on. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation. Your timing was immaculate. Every step was great. I thought it was absolutely charming. Well done.”
But the applause was short-lived as Mr Revel Horwood then delivered his blunt assessment. “I think it’s going to be a few more weeks before you reach pro level. That’s all I have to say,” he told the duo.
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