BBC Strictly star Shayne Ward reveals biggest regret as he hits back at criticism

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Shayne Ward hasn't had an easy ride on the BBC show but he's faced his critics head on. We take a look at his journey so far as he shares his biggest regret

Drama, tears and backlash - soap star and singing sensation Shayne Ward may have stole the nation's heart by winning X Factor and then playing Aidan Connor on Coronation Street but his first few weeks on Strictly have been a bit of a rollercoaster.

The star was almost in tears as he became emotional talking about his mum's health during Strictly Come Dancing last week. "My mum is my absolute world but unfortunately she's not been able to come to the live shows because she's not been in the best of health for many years but I know she's at home watching," he said. "So mum, I dedicate this song to you because I know you always try and get there. I love you."

Just the week before Shayne and his pro dancing partner Nancy Zu found themselves in the dreaded dance-off - despite receiving one of their top scores of the series so far. The pair received positive praise from the judges, but the star faced criticism in week one from fans who said he appeared too cocky.

He addressed the backlash in his VT ahead of performing during week two. "After the show on Saturday [of week one] I received some negative comments on social media saying I was overconfident," he said. "Some of them did get to me, when in truth I'm only human, I was scared, I was terrified. And I hid it behind as much smiling as possible."

Although it's not been an easy few weeks for the singer and actor, Shayne is getting a lot of support from his family. He is being cheered on every step of the way by his soap star fiancée Sophie, Austin 40 and their children, son Reign (2) and daughter Willow (7). If his wife looks familiar, it's beccause Sophie played Lindsey Roscoe in Hollyoaks from 2013 to 2016, and has starred in EastEnders, Misfits, Call The Midwife, Doctors and Casualty.

And while Shayne's appearance on Strictly has meant their wedding has had to be delayed, it's not something that Sophie is holding against him. "It was actually Sophie who put me forward for the show," Shayne said. "For many years she's talked about Strictly, she loves, loves the show, so every year the music would come on and she'd whisper: 'You'd be good at this.'"

However, the singer also recently revealed how being in the spotlight means one of his biggest regrets is missing his kids when he's away with work. Shayne said he was "heartbroken" to leave their newborn son so soon after his birth two years ago and admits being away from his children is the hardest part of being in the spotlight. "Being in a country and not seeing them every day, as silly as it sounds I kept worrying that they might not remember me," he said.

It’s almost 20 years since Shayne Ward won the X Factor and his debut track That's My Goal shot to number one in the charts, but his fans and family will be hoping that this is the year he lifts the glitterball.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC on Saturday October 26 from 6:25pm.