Chris Robshaw and his famous wife have suffered a difficult time ahead of his appearance on the hit BBC show
Former England captain Chris Robshaw(Image: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw has spoken for the first time about the stalker hell he has been facing ahead of his appearance on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Robshaw briefly met a woman at two separate work events last year, sparking a nightmare period in his life. Within six months the woman is alleged to have commenced a campaign of harassment, allegedly spreading false claims about him and encouraging others to do the same, including threats to tell lies about him and opera singer wife Camilla Kerslake to social services.
Robshaw called the police when the threats allegedly turned violent. The woman is believed to have departed the country and features on the National Police Wanted List, according to the Mirror.
Robshaw says it is a “tough situation” and an “ongoing headache”.
He told the Times: “What should’ve been a time for celebrating our new baby was overshadowed as we were dealing with the horror of this. But Strictly has brought us some joy. It’s nice to hear the family laughing again, even if it is at my expense.”
A close associate revealed to the Mirror how he sought approval from the officers handling his case before agreeing to participate in the BBC programme.
A friend of Robshaw’s told the Mirror: “Before signing up, he had to tell his case officer that he was doing the show, going as far to ask for their blessing as such. The Police were told about Strictly, before he told his own family.
“He was one of the last celebrities to sign up, because he was taking the right measures to secure his family, before signing on the dotted line”.
Chris Robshaw will be joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing cast.(Image: BBC)
Robshaw has indicated he would be willing to withdraw from Strictly if circumstances deteriorated.
The source added: “Chris has made it clear that his family always comes first. He told friends that if this situation ever put Camilla or the children at risk, he’d walk away from Strictly without hesitation.
“He almost pulled out of the show altogether but changed his mind because he wants his son to see him out there, embracing something new and fun. He doesn’t want fear to win.”
Revealing details about the traumatic experience, the friend explained how his wife Camilla, 39 had become too frightened to venture outside at times due to the woman’s behaviour.
Former England skipper Robshaw has previously spoken of the “shame” he still feels over England crashing out of the 2015 World Cup amid their pool-stage defeat to Wales.
Fifteen years on from the ignominious pool-stage exit from the World Cup they were hosting, he still hasn’t completely banished memories of the events that brought about one of English rugby’s most embarrassing episodes.
Evidently, he remains haunted by the fateful decision to go for touch instead of kicking a late penalty that would have secured a draw against Wales at Twickenham. The visitors defended the ensuing line-out and held out for a famous 28-25 win. A week later, defeat to Australia saw England hurried out of their own World Cup.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Robshaw said of the 2015 global tournament: “It’s still the one that hurts.
“It’s still the one that brings me negative feelings to talk about it, and shame to talk about it.
“But it’s a scar I will always wear. It’s a scar that will always be a part of me.