Strictly’s Chris Robshaw opens up about ‘feelings of not being good enough’ as he reveals he struggled mentally after retiring from rugby

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Chris Robshaw, known from Strictly Come Dancing, has shared that he felt inadequate and struggled with his mental health after ending his rugby career.

The 39-year-old former rugby player represented England between 2012 and 2015, and fully retired from the sport in 2022.

Chris recently opened up about his mental health in an interview, explaining how stepping away from his job affected him. He also shared that being on Strictly Come Dancing has given him a new sense of purpose.

‘My biggest competition is my own brain,’ he said. ‘I can’t keep letting the anxious thinking win. 

I constantly have to quiet my inner critic and dismiss feelings of inadequacy whenever they surface.

Chris explained that he struggled emotionally after retiring from rugby, feeling like he’d lost his sense of self.

You know, as someone who’s helped a lot of people transition through life changes, I can really relate to this. It’s amazing how much our identity can be tied to what we *do*, especially something as all-consuming as a sport like rugby. When that chapter closes, it’s totally normal to feel a bit lost. It was everything to him – his routine, his community, his purpose – and letting go of that definitely left him feeling like he’d lost a part of himself. But rediscovering that athlete’s mindset? That’s fantastic. It’s all about finding a new way to feel strong, focused, and driven, and it’s wonderful to see him embracing that feeling again.

Honestly, things were really getting me down, but being back in training has completely changed everything. ‘Strictly’ has reignited something inside me – that fire, that passion… it’s like I’m truly working towards something amazing again, and it feels incredible!

‘It’s not the same as being on the rugby pitch, of course, but dancing has made me so happy.’

Chris recently shared that becoming a father to his sons, Wilding and Hunter, whom he shares with his wife Camilla Kerslake, helped him feel comfortable talking about his mental health.

I’ve always pushed myself incredibly hard, and winning has always been everything to me – I was practically raised to believe it was the only option. So, when I don’t do well, or end up near the bottom, it genuinely feels like a personal defeat. It’s more than just a bad score; it feels like I’ve failed, and worse, that I’ve disappointed the people I care about.

I struggle with worry and fear, and I used to keep those feelings to myself. But since becoming a parent, I’ve realized it’s important to be honest about not always being okay and to admit when I’m struggling with my mental health.

Losing is really tough for me because it makes me feel inadequate and like I’ve failed, and that feeling sticks with me.

This news follows the announcement that Chris’s wife, Camilla, will be unable to attend this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing due to a performance commitment at The Grand Final Super League.

People close to the singer say she was conflicted about performing, as it meant missing her friend’s show. However, she had already committed to the performance before her friend joined ‘Strictly’ and felt obligated to honor that commitment.

A source said, ‘The performance was in the diary before Chris signed up to the BBC show’.

After experiencing a frightening stalking situation, they decided Camilla wouldn’t attend every episode of Strictly to avoid creating predictable routines and ensure her safety.

Chris almost didn’t join Strictly Come Dancing because he was worried about his safety. He’d been harassed by a woman who stalked him and made threatening claims, even saying she would contact social services with false information about him and his wife. This came to light in August.

BBC executives are very concerned and have told Chris that protecting him and his family is their top priority.

After what they went through, they were told to avoid their usual habits to help prevent finding themselves in danger again.

I’ve always known Chris and Camilla are incredibly close – they’re practically inseparable! Camilla is truly his rock, his safe space, so knowing she won’t be around is really getting to him. He’s definitely feeling extra anxious about everything now that she’s not going to be there.

He’s already a bit nervous, and it’s even more stressful knowing his wife isn’t there to support him. However, everyone understands she’s returning to work after having a baby, and they’re glad to have her back.

Both partners are equally dedicated to their jobs and deeply admire what each other does.

Friends of the couple are worried Chris might face elimination, and if the judges’ scores remain low, he could end up in a dance-off without his wife’s support.

According to a source, Chris has a lot of respect for his wife and her work. He’s always been supportive of her, just as she’s been supportive of him throughout his own career.

Regardless of how things go on Saturday, Camilla will privately support him, and his sons will be watching from home.

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2025-10-18 20:19