BBC Strictly's Shayne Ward gives huge update on wedding plans amid huge 'sacrifice'

Shayne Ward, who is now competing in Strictly Come Dancing, has finally found his happily ever after following a whirlwind romance and two beautiful children with Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin

Shayne Ward was so desperate to do Strictly this year that he made the ultimate sacrifice, and even had encouragement from his fiancee.

Shayne and Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin have been planning to tie the knot this year after nine years together and two children, and made huge plans for their big day to work around Shayne's schedule. Despite recent controversies, Strictly Come Dancing remains the most coveted of all the reality shows to do for celebrities.

Performing every Saturday night to millions while learning a fun new skill raises celeb profiles like no other show - and so many former contestants have been happy to juggle other work commitments with rehearsals. Former Corrie star Shayne Ward, who is looking forward to performing his second live dance tonight, revealed that not only was Sophie happy to delay their big day she was also instrumental in him taking part.

"It was actually Sophie who put me forward for the show. 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.' She always had that belief in me, she'd say: 'I just think you'd really enjoy it, and I want people to see you.' This year she said to me: 'Can I please put your name forward?'

Shayne, 39, who is partnered with Nancy Xu, has been engaged to Hollyoaks actress Sophie since 2017. On wedding plans, he said: "Sophie and I were actually looking at the end of this year, but we couldn't because this incredible show happened. Strictly came along, and so we had to put the wedding on hold. I've joked that maybe we could do both together, and get married after the results show. But we have plenty of time."

Shayne is no stranger to the gruelling demand of reality TV competitions after he won The X Factor back in 2005. Here, The Mirror takes a look at the star's dramatic love life...

Childhood sweetheart and 'rock'

Shayne was previously due to wed childhood sweetheart Faye McKeever before the couple called off their four-year engagement in 2014. Shayne and Trollied star Faye began dating a year before X Factor catapulted him to superstardom.

Shayne described the actress as his "rock" and a "good shoulder to cry on" during the tough years after winning the competition, where he was overshadowed by 2006's The X Factor winner Leona Lewis's global success. But the relationship crumbled just a year before he found TV acting fame in Coronation Street.

His soap role was a comeback to the limelight after a couple of musical jobs and several albums that, although successful, never saw him as popular as he was after winning The X Factor a decade earlier - with a 2005 Christmas No1 with That's My Goal.

'Romance' with 'half-sister Carla'

Playing Aidan Connor saw Shayne winning rave reviews and also working closely with Alison King, who played Carla Connor. Rumours of romance went into overdrive when he admitted to having a crush on the actress.

In a 2015 interview with The Sun, when asked if there was anyone on the soap he'd like to cop off with, he laughed: "Obviously Carla, she's so hot. She's a strong woman; that's attractive to see a woman so in control."

A few weeks later, they were seen holding hands after partying into the early hours at the TV Choice Awards. The two became good friends during Shayne's stint on Corrie and remained close when he left the soap in 2018 - after his character committed suicide.

In 2016 Alison left Corrie - before returning a year later. News of her departure left Shayne "gutted" and spoke of how much he would miss her.

Love and family with Hollyoaks star Sophie

Sophie, 40, and Shayne, 39, have been together for nine years. The pretty brunette played Lindsey Butterfield in Hollyoaks from 2013 to 2016 when she met Shayne.

After a whirlwind romance welcomed their first child, daughter Willow May in December 2016 and then announced their engagement in 2017. Sophie, who has also starred in Call The Midwife and Casualty, gave birth to the couple's second child, Reign.

The gorgeous couple regularly share updates on their family life with fans on social media. Shayne posted a gushing tribute: "Another year has gone by…. And I love you more each and every second. I’m feel very blessed to have you by my side. Let’s keep holding hands. Let’s keep walking in each others footsteps Let’s keep finding new adventures. Let’s keep singing. Let’s taste the world's greatest foods (That’ll be fajitas for me). Let's dance like no one is watching, But certain eyes always are. Our heaven sent angels Willow May and reign."

He signed off his heartfelt anniversary post by adding: "I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. My best friend for the last 9 years. #foreverandalways. Happy 9th anniversary my sophie I love you. X".

On an interview on Strictly spin off It Takes Two Shayne said : "I am excited about people seeing me as I am now on the show. It will be 20 years next year since I did X Factor, and since then I've been blessed with so many personal and professional opportunities.

"I have two incredible children, and now everything I do is for them. For me, it's nice that people who have followed my career get to see the family man I am now, but also that I haven't changed. I'm pretty much the same man I was back in 2004, just now with more toys to fall over."