Shaun Wright-Phillips Receives Ian Wright Support at Strictly

Shaun Wright-Phillips received support from his father Ian Wright during Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals, where the former England footballer watched Shaun prepare a Quickstep with professional partner Alexis Warr and highlighted their football family connection.

According to WalesOnline and the Daily Star, Ian visited Shaun during preparations for a performance to The Monkees' song I'm a Believer. The appearance led viewers to discuss the relationship between the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker and his son.

Ian praised Shaun and Alexis Warr after watching their rehearsal, describing Shaun's focus and ability to perform under pressure.

"I thought that his moves were really good. Alexis is brilliant. I'm very proud of him because when he gets into that place when he has to focus on something he will be brilliant," said Ian Wright, the former England international.

The visit prompted reactions from viewers on X, formerly known as Twitter, with some fans saying they were unaware of the family connection between the two football figures.

"Had no idea he was Ian Wright's son," wrote one viewer.

Another viewer expressed surprise about the relationship after seeing the Strictly coverage.

"I'm sorry, Ian Wright is Shaun's dad??!?!!" wrote another fan.

Ian adopted Shaun, the son of his then-girlfriend Sharon Phillips, when Shaun was three years old, according to the source report. Ian and Sharon later had another son, Bradley, and Ian raised Shaun as his own child.

Shaun later built a professional football career with Manchester City and Chelsea while representing England. Speaking to talkSPORT in 2019, he described the guidance he received from Ian during difficult moments in his career.

"It was a big benefit to have my dad to knock certain things on the head that may have touched a very bad nerve and I could've reacted differently. He guided me and my brother in the right direction and we've learned to cope with it. It's just not good to have in the game, period. It's just wrong," said Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The family's football history also includes Shaun's son D'Margio, who played as a winger and progressed through Manchester City's youth system before starting his senior career with Stoke City, according to the Daily Star.

In an interview with The Times in 2022, D'Margio discussed the expectations linked to having relatives who played professional football.

"There is always going to be pressure in football no matter what sort of family you've got and, to be honest, I don't really feel the pressure. To me, it's just my dad, my grandad and my uncle but I'm definitely aware of it. I've watched a lot of my dad's YouTube videos and a lot of my grandad's YouTube videos - even my uncle - and it's just amazing to see, because one day I would hope for my family to do that with me," said D'Margio.