Rugby ace is latest star being lined up for this year’s Strictly

England rugby player Chris Robshaw is the latest celebrity reportedly being lined up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.  

The Rugby Union star, 39, is said to be in talks to compete on the BBC dancing show, which is filmed at the BBC’s Elstree base and will return to screens this Autumn. 

Standing at 6ft 2in, it is likely the sportsman will be paired up with the tallest female dancer, 35-year-old Nadiya Bychkova.

A source told The Sun: ‘Chris is likely to be the hunkiest celebrity signing for the 2025 show and if he does get paired with Nadiya will deliver some sizzling performances.

‘But as a former rugby star he’ll also have some big dance shoes to fill as plenty of other players have gone onto Strictly and done remarkably well.

Chris’s last reality TV stint came on SAS Who Dares Wins, where he was forced to drop out after needing emergency surgery following a bust-up with Love Islander Ovie Soko.

During an episode, Chris was put in the ring with Ovie, 33, for a brutal boxing match challenge.

But as the two men battled it out to be named fighting champion, Ovie wasted no time getting in the first punch.

As Chris struggled to recover from the immediate blow, Ovie saw his opportunity and kept the punches swinging – hopeful for a quick defeat.

Just seconds after the whistle blew for the fight to commence, Chris shouted he had ‘dislocated his shoulder.’ 

Within 12 hours, Chris was put on a plane and was flown to hospital to have surgery.

Chris’s Strictly signing comes just one day after another star was ‘confirmed’ after being spotted at the studio by eagle-eyed fans. 

Dani Dyer, 28, was reportedly seen at the studio this week after it was rumoured that she could be set to join the line-up. 

Sharing a post to Reddit, someone wrote: ‘My daughter’s a receptionist at Elstree and was super excited that she saw Dani Dyer at the studio yesterday. Something to do with Strictly??’

Delighted fans commented: ‘I’ve heard her name floating around so thats brill news x’

Another added: ‘She is rumoured actually! I guess she will be on it, she’ll be good.’

Neighbours veteran Stefan Dennis has reportedly also signed up to appear on the new series of Strictly.

The actor, 66, has played the womanising and villainous Paul Robinson on the Australian soap for four decades, but finally wrapped up filming for the show’s final episode. 

In April this year it was reported that Stacey Solomon had been approached by BBC bosses to star on this year’s series of Strictly after she admitted she is ‘obsessed’ with the show.

The presenter, 35, caught producers’ eyes after she scooped a National Television Award for her BBC One series Sort Your Life Out last September.

A source told The Sun: ‘Stacey is a hit with viewers thanks to her lovable personality.

‘The BBC always want to showcase their own talent on Strictly and Stacey’s show has already bagged them an NTA.’

Meanwhile it was reported that Vicky Pattison had also been offered a spot on this year’s series.

The reality TV star, 37, is said to have caught the attention of producers when she cheered on pal Pete Wicks from the audience during last year’s series – and now bosses are keen to bring her centre stage.

A source said: ‘Vicky loved watching Pete on the series and was in awe of the detail that goes into every performance.

‘She has great energy and will no doubt be a hit with the viewers.

‘Vicky’s done plenty of reality shows but is ready to be out of her comfort zone on the dance floor.’

Gladiators star Nitro has also been rumoured to have signed up for this year’s show after ‘impressing’ BBC producers on the Christmas special.

The superhuman, 36, took part in last year’s festive edition and was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu.

And now Nitro, whose real name is Harry Aikines Aryeetey, has reportedly agreed to appear on the regular series this autumn.

A show insider told The Sun how the ex-Olympian had been on bosses’ wish list for some time now.

It has also been claimed that member of high society and MasterChef star, Tom Parker-Bowles, is also in the running for Strictly this year.

And Strictly bosses have also reportedly signed up Apprentice star Thomas Skinner in the hopes he’ll attract ‘working-class blokes’ to the show.

While last month, it was said that the BBC series was in talks with Paul C. Brunson to appear, with bosses convinced they could rely on the star not to fall victim to the show’s infamous ‘curse’.