Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

As a compassionate observer, I find myself deeply moved by the stories of Chris McCausland and Will Young, two individuals who have bravely decided to step into the spotlight for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.


Will Young has revealed the real reason why he quit Strictly Come Dancing back in 2016. 

For the very first time discussing his sudden departure from the program, the former Pop Idol contestant confessed that medical issues related to his severe agoraphobia left him with no other option but to leave. However, he expressed a sense of being under duress to participate in the show due to pressure from his team.

During week three, Will chose to step away from the show due to personal matters like anxiety, which he shared along with Karen Clifton, his partner, as their reason for leaving.

On my heart-pounding conversation with Rylan Clark during his BBC podcast “How To Be In The Spotlight,” I couldn’t help but share this: “I genuinely wanted to step back, yet somehow, I found myself being encouraged to carry on.”

‘It was sort of like “Well, if you pull out, the BBC will never work with you again”.’

Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

‘That was one of the things that was said to me, so I did it, but I knew I wasn’t well enough.’

TopMob have contacted BBC representatives for comment.  

He continued: ‘You know, when you’re getting flashbacks and all those kind of things, for me, it was agoraphobia.’

During that period, my agoraphobia was extremely debilitating. In essence, I was so disoriented that I barely knew my surroundings. When you rewatch that program, you won’t find me in the room because I was hardly there at all.

People were sending me messages saying, “This situation isn’t right for you, you don’t seem well.” However, I made an effort to break free. The truth is, I had become quite agoraphobic and it was a struggle for me to even go to the studio to practice.

After performing a Bollywood-style Salsa to “Jai Ho”, he chose to exit the show. He clarified his decision by saying, ‘Although the Bollywood dance was well executed, I still find myself rewatching it because I’m incredibly proud of it.’

After that particular evening, I found myself saying within me, “This won’t succeed, I can’t continue like this anymore.” From the very next day onwards.

In addition, some individuals exert pressure due to financial needs… At that point in time, unfortunately, I wasn’t surrounded by overly supportive people.

Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced
Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced
Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

On Monday Strictly confirmed their first two celebrities for this year’s 20th anniversary lineup.

After several weeks of rumors, it was officially confirmed that comedian Chris McCausland and JLS member JB Gill would join the program.

46-year-old Chris, an actor on CBeebies, went blind at the age of 22 due to a genetic disorder known as Retinitis Pigmentosa, which caused him to lose his sight.

As a die-hard admirer, let me tell you, when I heard about my idol’s upcoming project, I found myself asking, “How on earth is he pulling this off?” But fear not, fellow fans, because I can assure you that very same question has been running through his mind too!

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must confess, dancing has never been part of my repertoire, and truthfully, it’s not something I foresee myself doing in the near future either. The thought of it brings on a bit of apprehension – “What could potentially go awry?” But let’s just say, I prefer to admire others gracefully moving to the rhythm from the sidelines for now.

In a similar fashion, JB is continuing down a path that mirrors Aston Merrygold’s journey, as Aston was eliminated in 10th position during the 2017 season.

As I shared more about my life journey, I couldn’t help but delve into the complex bond I shared with my late twin brother. He challenged me, questioning how fame had transformed me into something akin to a mechanical entity.

In 2020, Will’s identical brother Rupert ended his life following a long struggle with alcohol addiction. Prior to his passing, he expressed confusion to the singer about why Will had become so emotionally detached and unfeeling.

Will said: ‘I maybe became a bit too steely and I remember my late brother saying to me, ‘You’ve become a bit cold’ because I think I was so shut off to it.

Reflecting on the past, it was a heartbreaking moment. Seeing him weep brought tears to my eyes as well. He expressed his confusion by saying, “I just can’t grasp what transpired.”

In my thoughts, I was incredibly concentrated. It felt as though I repeatedly reminded myself, ‘I need to persevere through these next five years to establish a successful career.’

Growing up, I had always dreamt of becoming a renowned singer, ever since I could hum a tune at the tender age of four. Fast forward to my teenage years, and that dream took a turn when I found myself on stage at the iconic Wembley Stadium for my first gig. The experience was surreal, and it felt like I had been transformed into a machine, programmed to perform. Each note I sang, each movement I made, felt calculated and precise. It was as if the years of practice and preparation had turned me into something less human, more mechanical. Yet, amidst the cold precision, there was a spark of raw emotion that reminded me I was still alive, still a person with dreams and feelings. This moment at Wembley shaped my life and career in ways I could never have imagined, pushing me to explore new heights and challenge the boundaries of what it means to be a singer.

Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced
Will Young reveals the REAL reason for his shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing as new lineup is announced

Earlier, he had expressed his sorrow over Rupert’s demise, as well as the hardship the family faced in managing his alcoholism.

He shared with BBC Breakfast, “I deeply yearn for my brother, who was not only my twin but also my closest confidant. However, I do not pine for the person consumed by alcohol.”

Let me rephrase that for a more conversational tone: “I believe we need to talk more openly about alcoholism because it significantly impacts families when someone close deals with this issue. Sharing experiences can help raise awareness.”

As someone who has faced the heart-wrenching reality of losing a loved one, I can attest to the incredible things we do out of love for those we cherish. In my case, it was my dear brother who was facing mortality, and the thought of him slipping away from me was unbearable. I did everything in my power to keep him alive, but ultimately, fate had other plans. This loss has left an indelible mark on my life, and I am still grappling with the grief process. However, the love that drove me to try to save him remains a beacon of hope and resilience, reminding me of the power of family bonds and the lengths we will go to for those we hold dear.

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2024-08-06 13:02

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