Strictly Come Dancing: When Wales' athletes competed

Colin Jackson won silver in the 110m hurdles at the 1988 Olympics

The ballroom has always had a strong pull for sporting stars.

Over the years, Strictly Come Dancing has lured a surprising number of athletes with Welsh ties — some born-and-bred, others connected through clubs, competitions or training grounds.

As former Cardiff City striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink prepares to make his Strictly debut, we look back at the roll call of sportspeople with a Welsh connection who have stepped into the spotlight.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – Cardiff City's one-season man

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink featured for Cardiff City against Portsmouth in the 2008 FA Cup final

Cardiff City fans remember Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for a single season capped by a famous FA Cup run. His standout moment came in the fifth round against Wolves, spinning on the edge of the box before curling a superb shot into the top corner. He later finished off a clever through ball from a young Aaron Ramsey to set up Peter Whittingham for Cardiff's second.

That 2–0 win helped propel City to their first FA Cup final since 1927.

Beyond Wales, he scored 87 goals in 177 games for Chelsea, twice won the Premier League Golden Boot, and netted nine goals in 23 appearances for the Netherlands.

Now he prepares for Strictly Come Dancing, trading stepovers for sambas — but for Cardiff fans, that Wolves goal remains unforgettable.

Colin Jackson – a Strictly silver medallist

The 110m hurdles world champion and Olympic medallist left his spikes behind in 2005 and took to the dancefloor.

Paired with Erin Boag, Jackson's precision and flair carried him all the way to the final of the third series.

He finished runner-up, but later found victory by winning the 2006 Christmas Special.

Joe Calzaghe – a brief dance with Kristina

The "Pride of Wales" in the boxing ring, Joe Calzaghe took on a new opponent in 2009: the paso doble.

Partnered with Kristina Rihanoff in Series 7, Calzaghe never looked entirely comfortable and was voted out in Week 5.

Away from the show, the partnership developed into a relationship that lasted several years.

Gavin Henson – semi-final steps

Gavin Henson won 33 caps for Wales

Gavin Henson was no stranger to the limelight. Rugby stardom, high-profile headlines and a celebrity lifestyle meant he was well used to scrutiny.

In 2010 he tested himself on Strictly. Partnered with Katya Virshilas, Henson reached the semi-finals and finished fifth overall.

Robbie Savage – from sliding tackles to salsa

Outspoken, combative and rarely far from the headlines, Robbie Savage was always going to be box office on Strictly.

The former Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County midfielder — who won 39 caps for Wales — was paired with Ola Jordan in Series 9 (2011).

He advanced to the quarter-finals before leaving the competition, but not before delivering a memorable samba.

Savage later returned for the 2017 Christmas Special, finishing as joint runner-up. Today, he is the manager of Forest Green Rovers, continuing his unpredictable football journey.

Iwan Thomas – fast man, short stay

The former 400m European and Commonwealth champion Iwan Thomas had high hopes when he entered Series 13 in 2015.

Unfortunately, his Strictly journey was the briefest of all — partnered with Ola Jordan, he was the first celebrity to depart.

Gabby Logan – dusting off the leotard and ballroom shoes

Gabby Logan was made an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours list for her services to sports broadcast and promoting women in sport

Now a familiar pitch side presence, Gabby Logan represented Wales in gymnastics at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

The daughter of former Wales player and manager Terry Yorath, she tried her hand at ballroom dancing in the 2007 series.

The Match of the Day presenter's Strictly run ended in Week 4 of Series 5.

Ellie Simmonds – breaking barriers in the ballroom

Ellie Simmonds won five Paralympic gold medals during her glittering career

Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds has strong Welsh links, having moved to Swansea as a child to pursue elite training.

In 2022, she joined Series 20 alongside pro Nikita Kuzmin.

She reached Week 7, exiting after a dance-off with Molly Rainford. Simmonds' appearance was celebrated not just for her performances, but for breaking barriers and showing the inclusive power of Strictly.

Jody Cundy – another Swansea connection

Another Paralympic great with a Welsh chapter, Jody Cundy trained in Swansea during his early swimming career before switching to cycling and winning multiple gold medals.

In 2023, he danced with Jowita Przystał in Series 21, but left the competition in Week 4.

Paul Merson – we're claiming him!

We'll admit we're stretching the Welsh connection here — but Paul Merson's brief run-out for Caerau FC in Maesteg is enough to sneak him onto the list.

Best known for his time with Arsenal and England, that cameo in the Llynfi Valley gave the former midfielder an unlikely tie to Wales.

Partnered with Karen Hauer, Merson was eliminated in Week 5.