The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up just got itself a sporting legend – in the shape of former footballer Tony Adams MBE.
Tony, the 11th star to be confirmed for the ballroom this year, joins the likes of singer and CBBC star Molly Rainford, actress and comedian Ellie Taylor, Bros singer Matt Goss and Kiss FM DJ Tyler West.
Earlier this week, Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, comedian Jayde Adams, Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams, Radio 2 host Richie Anderson, Hear’Say singer and soap star Kym Marsh, and former Hollyoaks actor Will Mellor were also announced.
Football fans will of course be familiar with him already – but just who is Tony Adams, and who did he play for in his career?
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Tony Adams MBE and how old is he?
Tony, 55, is a former centre-back whose footballing career spanned over 22 years, playing for both Arsenal and England.
Having signed for Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1980, the Romford native is widely regarded as one of their greatest ever players, as well as one of the national team’s all-time greats.
During his footballing career he won 66 caps for England, played in four major tournaments and had 10 major trophy wins including the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.
He was the England captain during the Euro 96 tournament, held in this country – which saw the team reach the semi-finals, only to exit to Germany on penalties.
Since retiring from the game, he has been manager of Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth, as well as Azerbaijani club Gabala FK and La Liga club Granada CF.
More recently, he launched the venture SIX MHS, which delivers mental health and addictions services to non-sportspeople and organisations.
He is remains a patron of four other additional charities, NACOA, Forward Trust, Saving Faces, School Home Support and 6 Addiction – a charity he began to help those unable to afford private mental health services.
He has said of his Strictly appearance: ‘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.
‘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.’
Is Tony Adams married and does he have children?
Tony has been married twice. He wed first wife Jane Shea in 1992 but the couple divorced in 1997.
He married second wife, whisky heiress Poppy Teacher, in 2012.
The couple are parents to sons Atticus and Hector and daughter Iris, while Tony also has a son, Oliver, and daughter, Amber, from his first marriage.
Does Tony Adams have Instagram?
Yes, he does. You can find him at @tonyadamsofficial, where he has around 147,000 followers.
You can also find him on Twitter at @TonyAdams, with a following of 80,000.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in September.
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