BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shayne Ward's moving reason for wanting to get to Blackpool

Shayne Ward has shared the moving reason he'd like to make it the iconic Blackpool week as he performs for the first time on Strictly Come Dancing.

The actor and singer is among the 15 celebrities taking part in the BBC One dance contest this year. He was seen being partnered with Nancy Xu during the launch show ahead of the first live performances on Saturday night (September 21).

Shayne, who hails from Tameside, and Nancy have been busy in training and when the Manchester Evening News caught up with the former X Factor winner on his way to rehearsals, he admitted he’d already well and truly got the dancing bug.

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And Shayne's not afraid to say that he wants to win the competition. "I’ve said to myself that it’s ok to say I want to win this," Shayne told us.

He continued: "I think some people may take it the wrong way but I’m like, no, I’d be honoured when I say I want to win this. It’d be an absolute honour to win Strictly Come Dancing because of how amazing the show is.

"To celebrate that 20th anniversary [of Strictly] knowing my 20th anniversary is coming up next year, I’m hoping the stars are going to align and I can have another win. But I’ve just got to take each dance as it comes."

But as well as wanting to keep the Glitterball up north following actress Ellie Leach's win in 2023 alongside pro dancer Vito Coppola, getting to Blackpool is another goal for the 39-year-old - all because of his beloved mum.

"It would be great to keep that Glitterball up north, and it’s hard to get away from my song every time I use these words, but my goal is to get to Blackpool and lift that Glitterball with Nancy.

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