Strictly viewers can't believe Ian Wright is Shaun Wright-Phillips's dad as he makes a surprise appearance: 'They look the same age!'

2 weeks ago 20

By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 20:07 BST, 10 October 2026 | Updated: 20:32 BST, 10 October 2026

Strictly Come Dancing fans were stunned after discovering Ian Wright is the father of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Ian, 62, made a surprise cameo on Saturday night's show as he arrived at Shaun's rehearsals with professional dance partner Alexis Warr.

Shaun, 44, and Alexis, 26, were practising the Quickstep to I’m a Believer by The Monkees when Ian arrived to watch them.

He told the camera: 'I thought his moves were really good. Alexis is brilliant. I'm very proud of him. When he gets into that place where he has focus for something he will be brilliant.'

Viewers couldn't believe the family link and said the father-son duo looked the same age.

They wrote on X: 'How does Ian Wright’s son look older than his dad?'

Strictly Come Dancing fans were stunned after discovering Ian Wright is the father of Shaun Wright-Phillips

Ian, 62, made a surprise cameo on Saturday night's show as he arrived at Shaun's rehearsals with professional dance partner Alexis Warr

'Had no idea that Ian Wright was Shaun’s dad, I had to Google it'

'Ian Wright looks the same age as Shaun Wright-Phillips! Mouth hit the floor'

'Ian Wright is such a Dad! I'd love to see him, do Strictly.'

'I'm sorry, Ian Wright is Shaun's dad??!?!! They look the same age'

Arsenal legend Ian adopted Shaun at age three after starting a relationship with Shaun's mother, Sharon Phillips.

Shaun went on to carve a career in football. He played as a winger for Manchester City and Chelsea. He won the Premier League, earned 36 caps for England, and retired in 2019.

His brother, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and his son, D'Margio Wright-Phillips, also became professional football players.

Shaun and Alexis earned a score of 15 from judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, placing them at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Viewers couldn't believe the family link and said they father-son duo looked the same age. They wrote on X: 'How does Ian Wright’s son look older than his dad?'

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'