Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw says Strictly Come Dancing is completely out of his comfort zone. The 39-year-old, who retired from rugby in 2022, is paired with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova for the show’s 23rd series.

Robshaw spoke ahead of the first live show about retirement and the challenge of learning a new skill with a leading professional. He said the adrenaline that comes with competition can be missed after sport, and performing to a live audience on a Saturday night will be nervy, though nerves can help focus the mind and body.

The new series opened with 15 contestants, including Thomas Skinner, Alex Kingston and Vicky Pattison. Dani Dyer-Bowen had to withdraw after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals, leaving her partner Nikita Kuzmin without a dance partner. The programme is hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman and judged by Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse, and will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.55pm on Saturday.