Strictly’s Shayne Ward reveals huge sacrifice he made to appear on this year’s competition

Strictly’s Shayne Ward has revealed he made a huge sacrifice when he decided to take part in the competition this year.

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Shayne’s girlfriend, Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin, 40, who he has been dating since 2016, was seen clapping enthusiastically in the crowd.

The couple got engaged in 2017 but postponed their wedding day during the coronavirus pandemic – and now it’s been put on the back burner again.

Speaking about the wedding, the Manchester-born star shared The mirror: ‘It will happen. Sophie and I were actually looking at the end of this year, but we couldn’t because there was an incredible show happening.

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‘Strictly came along, so we had to postpone the wedding.

“I’ve been joking that maybe we can do both together, and get married after the results show up. But we have plenty of time.’

Elsewhere in the interview, Shayne revealed that it was actually Sophie who put him forward for the BBC show because she thinks it is ‘amazing’.

The couple shares two children, Willow born in 2017, and son Reign born in 2022.

Shayne’s admission comes just after he hit back at Strictly fans on Monday after viewers branded him ‘cocky’ and ‘insufferable’ after the first live show.

There was no shortage of stage presence from the former Coronation Street star during his dance as he put in a brilliant performance in an all-black, sparkly outfit.

However, his energetic dancing was too much for viewers at home as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain that the star seemed ‘overconfident’.

One fan wrote: ‘If Shayne Ward was made of chocolate he’d be licking himself.’; “Find someone who loves you as much as Shayne Ward loves herself.”

The couple got engaged in 2017 but postponed their wedding day during the coronavirus pandemic – and now it’s been put on the back burner again

Shayne has been in a relationship with Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin since 2016 and the couple share two children, Willow born in 2017, and son Reign born in 2022 (both pictured in 2019)

It comes after Shayne hit back at Strictly Come Dancing fans on Monday after viewers branded him ‘cocky’ and ‘insufferable’ on the hit BBC show

However, Shayne took to his Instagram to assure fans that their statements couldn’t be further from the truth.

Shayne posted a somber black and white selfie, saying, “It’s absolutely amazing and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

‘But my smile on TV makes me as nervous as anyone else. Not cocky or overconfident… I’m nervous!’

“I just have to work hard and listen to my wonderful teacher Nancy Xiu. All I can do is do my best!’

The Manchester-born star won the second series of the X Factor in 2005, competing against Andy Abraham, who finished in second place, and Journey South, who came third.

He also won a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s Syco label and went on to release several successful singles.

Shayne’s biggest hits include That’s My Goal; his debut single reached number one in Britain.

Another popular song is No Promises, which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.

The Manchester-born star won the second series of X Factor in 2005 (seen), competing against Andy Abraham, who finished in second place, and Journey South, who came third

After building a successful career in music, Shayne broadened his horizons by venturing into acting, hitting the cobbles in August 2015 as bad boy Aidan Connor.

His song Breathless from his second album was also a big hit, peaking at number three in the UK Singles Chart.

Ever the showman, Shayne won a National Television Award for Most Popular Talent Show in 2006 for his win on X Factor.

In addition to his music career, Shayne decided to move to the West End when he took on the role of Staycee Jaxx in the 1980s musical Rock of Ages.

And after building a successful career in music, he expanded his horizons by venturing into acting.

He hit the cobbles in August 2015 as bad boy Aidan Connor – the half-brother of Carla, who at the time owned the underwear factory Underworld.

His character quickly became known as a ladies’ man, something that continued to haunt him in a complicated love triangle between Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) and Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley).

In a typically dramatic conclusion to the storyline, Aidan felt Eva’s wrath as she went into overdrive upon the discovery of his affair with a devious plot to sabotage their wedding day.

He picked up two gongs for Best Newcomer in 2016: one at the National Television Awards and the other at the Inside Soap Awards.

However, in 2018, his on-screen character died by suicide.