If you chat to any Strictly Come Dancing fan, it won't be long before football legend Tony Adams is mentioned.

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That's because this year's contestant, who is dancing alongside Katya Jones, has managed to make a big impression – despite some uneven scores along the way.

The former Arsenal and England captain has secured his status as a legendary Strictly contestant but now he's hoping for similar success on the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 leaderboard.

After last week's Salsa to Pitbull's I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) scored them a low mark 0f 21 (10 marks less than the week before), the BBC has revealed Tony and Katya's next challenge will be a similarly energetic Jive to Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett.

But what is in store for the fan favourite? And will the judges be left speechless by his unique performance?

In the meantime, here's all you need to know about Tony, who is a standout in this year's Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up.

If you chat to any Strictly Come Dancing fan, it won't be long before football legend Tony Adams is mentioned.

That's because this year's contestant, who is dancing alongside Katya Jones, has managed to make a big impression – despite some uneven scores along the way.

The former Arsenal and England captain has secured his status as a legendary Strictly contestant but now he's hoping for similar success on the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 leaderboard.

After last week's Salsa to Pitbull's I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) scored them a low mark 0f 21 (10 marks less than the week before), the BBC has revealed Tony and Katya's next challenge will be a similarly energetic Jive to Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett.

But what is in store for the fan favourite? And will the judges be left speechless by his unique performance?

In the meantime, here's all you need to know about Tony, who is a standout in this year's Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up.

Who is Tony Adams?

England defender Tony Adams in action during the 1996 UEFA European Championship Finals Qquarter Final against Spain at Wembley Stadium on June 22, 1996 in London, England
England defender Tony Adams in action during the 1996 UEFA European Championship. Photo by Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images

Age: 55

Job: English football manager and former professional player

Instagram: @tonyadamsofficial

Twitter: @tonyadams

Tony Adams's football career spanned three decades, having played for both Arsenal and the England national team.

His football playing career has seen him considered as one of Arsenal’s best ever players and a titan of English football, boasting 66 caps for England, 10 major trophy wins and four major tournament wins. He also led England to the 1996 Euros final.

Adams remains the only captain in English history to lead three teams to three top-flight titles across three decades.

He is also the founder and president of the charity Sporting Chance Clinic, which helps sportspeople with mental health issues and addiction. Adams has also launched SIX MHS which provides aid on these issues.

Since retiring, Adams has focused further on charity work and advocating for a number of issues.

Adams is married to his wife Poppy and has six children.

Tony's Strictly journey

Scoreboard

Week 1: Tango (3+4+4+4) = 15

Week 2: Charleston (4+6+6+6) = 22

Week 1 + 2: (22+15) = 37

Week 3: Samba (2+6+4+6) = 18

Week 4: American Smooth (5+7+7+7) = 26

Week 5: Cha Cha Cha (3+6+4+6) = 19

Week 6: Quickstep (7+8+8+8) = 31

Week 7: Salsa (4+6+5+6) = 21

From the moment he took to the dance floor for a football-themed Tango in Week 1, Tony Adams has become one of the best-loved stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

His routines with partner Katya Jones might not have scored highly, but they have certainly provided some of the most memorable and entertaining moments of the series so far, from their Charleston to My Old Man's a Dustman to a hilarious Full Monty-themed Samba.

For the first time, the football star avoided the bottom of the leaderboard in Week 4, instead ranking in 11th place, but then dropped back down the following week, scoring just 19 points for a sports-themed Cha Cha Cha to the Grandstand theme tune, which saw him and Jones using an array of props like tennis racquets and golf clubs.

When Shirley Ballas awarded him four points, Tony was less than impressed, crying out: "Shirley, go home!"

He's since apologised for his tongue-in-cheek outburst and landed his best score to date after being awarded 31 points for his notably improved Quickstep to The Devil Went Down to Georgia for Halloween Week. The routine even received an 8 from Shirley, doubling her points from the previous week.

Week 7 saw a slight dip in his progression, as Tony performed the Salsa and scored just 21.

However, despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard, Tony and Katya flew through to the next stage of the competition and once again avoided the dreaded dance off. Will history repeat itself this weekend?

What has Tony Adams said about joining Strictly 2022?

Upon the announcement of Tony Adams joining the Strictly line-up, the Arsenal legend said: "To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year’s 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to meet my partner – god help her – and start the dancing."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 12th November at 6:55pm on BBC One, with the results show airing on Sunday 13th November at 7:20pm.

Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.

Who is Tony Adams?

England defender Tony Adams in action during the 1996 UEFA European Championship Finals Qquarter Final against Spain at Wembley Stadium on June 22, 1996 in London, England
England defender Tony Adams in action during the 1996 UEFA European Championship. Photo by Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images

Age: 55

Job: English football manager and former professional player

Instagram: @tonyadamsofficial

Twitter: @tonyadams

Tony Adams's football career spanned three decades, having played for both Arsenal and the England national team.

His football playing career has seen him considered as one of Arsenal’s best ever players and a titan of English football, boasting 66 caps for England, 10 major trophy wins and four major tournament wins. He also led England to the 1996 Euros final.

Adams remains the only captain in English history to lead three teams to three top-flight titles across three decades.

He is also the founder and president of the charity Sporting Chance Clinic, which helps sportspeople with mental health issues and addiction. Adams has also launched SIX MHS which provides aid on these issues.

Since retiring, Adams has focused further on charity work and advocating for a number of issues.

Adams is married to his wife Poppy and has six children.

Tony's Strictly journey

Scoreboard

Week 1: Tango (3+4+4+4) = 15

Week 2: Charleston (4+6+6+6) = 22

Week 1 + 2: (22+15) = 37

Week 3: Samba (2+6+4+6) = 18

Week 4: American Smooth (5+7+7+7) = 26

Week 5: Cha Cha Cha (3+6+4+6) = 19

Week 6: Quickstep (7+8+8+8) = 31

Week 7: Salsa (4+6+5+6) = 21

From the moment he took to the dance floor for a football-themed Tango in Week 1, Tony Adams has become one of the best-loved stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

His routines with partner Katya Jones might not have scored highly, but they have certainly provided some of the most memorable and entertaining moments of the series so far, from their Charleston to My Old Man's a Dustman to a hilarious Full Monty-themed Samba.

For the first time, the football star avoided the bottom of the leaderboard in Week 4, instead ranking in 11th place, but then dropped back down the following week, scoring just 19 points for a sports-themed Cha Cha Cha to the Grandstand theme tune, which saw him and Jones using an array of props like tennis racquets and golf clubs.

When Shirley Ballas awarded him four points, Tony was less than impressed, crying out: "Shirley, go home!"

He's since apologised for his tongue-in-cheek outburst and landed his best score to date after being awarded 31 points for his notably improved Quickstep to The Devil Went Down to Georgia for Halloween Week. The routine even received an 8 from Shirley, doubling her points from the previous week.

Week 7 saw a slight dip in his progression, as Tony performed the Salsa and scored just 21.

However, despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard, Tony and Katya flew through to the next stage of the competition and once again avoided the dreaded dance off. Will history repeat itself this weekend?

What has Tony Adams said about joining Strictly 2022?

Upon the announcement of Tony Adams joining the Strictly line-up, the Arsenal legend said: "To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year’s 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to meet my partner – god help her – and start the dancing."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 12th November at 6:55pm on BBC One, with the results show airing on Sunday 13th November at 7:20pm.

Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.

Advertisement

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.

Authors

Lewis KnightTrends Editor

Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.

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