PAUL MERSON HELPS KICK OFF A NEW SERIES OF STRICTLY COME DANCING

08.10.2024

Football legend Paul Merson is one of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing stars, admitting he took up the offer to appear on the BBC dance show for his mum.

The former Arsenal star turned Sky Sports pundit says his mum was a huge influence in his decision to take part in the 2024 series.

He said: “It's because of my Mum. I always say my Dad played a big role in me becoming a professional footballer, but my Mum doesn’t get the credit she deserves. She loves the show, so it's nice for her.”

Paul said he will be drawing on his football skills to help him move around the dance floor with his professional dancer Karen Hauer. He added: “You need to have some coordination, just like on a football pitch, and that’s crucial on the dance floor too. A good coach and quality teaching are the most important things. One lesson I learned from football is to always be around good players – and if things don’t go well, you can always blame the coach!”