EXCLUSIVE: In this exclusive photoshoot and interview with OK!, Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu talk about trolling, wedding plans and why Shayne's daughter makes his experience so emotional
After what’s been a bit of a roller coaster so far on Strictly Come Dancing 's 20th anniversary series, Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu are enjoying some downtime away from the rehearsal room for their exclusive OK! photo shoot. The couple haven’t had the easiest of experiences so far, with former X Factor and Coronation Street star Shayne, 40, receiving a fair bit of flack after stepping into the ballroom for the first time six weeks ago, with some viewers suggesting he was “loving himself”.
Shayne, who is engaged to and shares two children with actress Sophie Austin, is also refusing to let his experience be tainted by the sharp end of social media, but admits it’s not always easy. “I think when it comes to social media and negative comments, I’m only human, and it can get to me. It can also upset my mum and Sophie when it’s a personal attack."
“Being away from Sophie and the children has been hard,” he says. “But Sophie is incredible and has been my absolute rock through this adventure. Each week Willow-May tells me, ‘You’ve got to stay in, Daddy, you’re doing amazing, Daddy.’ It makes me so happy. “Respect” is a word that comes up a lot as we chat, and of course it’s been a hot topic on the show following complaints from past contestants and the subsequent internal BBC investigation. But the respect is there in abundance with these two.
“Reign doesn’t have a clue what’s going on because he’s only two, but he sees me on the telly and says, ‘Dada’. But Willow-May is super proud of her daddy and she loves Nancy and watching the show. She says Nancy looks like a beautiful princess. She has sleepovers with friends and they have Strictly parties, and she’s got a little paddleboard that was given by Janette from It Takes Two. So, every weekend my little girl gives me a 10, I’m very happy.
Nancy Xu Strictly Come Dancing Sophie Austin
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