Ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional Vincent Simone has defended Shayne Ward against criticism for openly stating his desire to win the competition.
Ward, 39, a former X Factor winner and Coronation Street actor, made his dancefloor debut with pro Nancy Xu last Saturday, performing a Samba to Stevie Wonder's Do I Do.
The actor faced backlash on social media, with trolls branding him "cocky" and "overconfident", warning he could lose votes unless he "tones it down".
Simone, who was part of Strictly from 2006 to 2013 and reached the final in 2008 with singer Rachel Stevens, is well-positioned to offer Ward advice on handling the competition's pressures.
Speaking exclusively to The Standard via 10bet, he said: “I didn’t think Shayne came across as arrogant at all.”
As for the That’s My Goal hit-maker being slated for his “in it to win it” attitude, the Italian native thinks that’s the right approach to have.
He explained: “I think that’s the whole point. Many times down the years you get people saying ‘oh, no I’m just doing it for fun, I’m just here to have an experience’ but the more you go on, the more you work hard, of course you want to win it. It would be unnatural not to. The professionals we all want to win it for sure. At least if [Ward] said that he’s honest
“At the end of the day it’s a dance show so prove it. Every week prove it. Be the best. Work hard and then you can easily change people’s opinions because if you’re good then you give people emotions when you dance then people have to like you, they can’t dislike you. You know, in every job the job is to improve your dance skills, to learn dance skills and to make amazing performances every week. So that’s what he has to be concentrating on.”
Meanwhile, Simone is currently rehearsing for 19-date dance spectacular Legends of the Dancefloor. He along with fellow Strictly alum Brendan Cole, Ian Waite, Pasha Kovalev and James Jordan will be strutting their stuff up and down the UK, including a night in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre on October 8.
“We’re all excited about what we’re going to come up with for our shows; it’s gonna be amazing,” he enthused.
Reflecting on what it’s like to perform with people he has now known for so long, he added: “It is so nice. Sometimes you step away from things and when you go back you appreciate it more and realise what amazing friendships we have and chemistry. So that is gonna shine on stage big time.”
