BBC Strictly star Shayne Ward addresses ‘big ego’ backlash as Nancy Xu admits to having ‘lots of concerns’

Strictly Come Dancing returned with all its usual glitz and glamour last weekend, and after the new host of celebrities made their dance floor debuts, preparation for week two dances is thoroughly underway.

Singer Shayne Ward and dance partner Nancy Xu performed a lively samba, and while the judges applauded Ward’s confidence, some viewers watching accused him of being “arrogant”. Addressing this on spin-off show, It Takes Two, Ward shared his thoughts on the criticism.

Ward explained his seemingly “overconfident” approach was in fact a result of his nervousness. After addressing the backlash on Instagram earlier this week, he was asked about it once again by Janette Manrara on It Takes Two.

His dance partner Xu also admitted to having had “concerns” ahead of their week one performance.

“Nancy, the samba is known for being quite a difficult dance. Did you have any concerns doing that week one?” Manara, 40, asked.

“Oh, I had a lot of concerns!” she admitted, before praising the singer on his “commitment” to learning the steps.

“You’re a performer so everyone assumes that you’re confident – how did you bring that to the performance on Saturday night?” the host and former Strictly star later asked Ward.

“Do you know what, for me, I mean because I got some lovely compliments from the judges saying that they loved my confidence, it’s amazing how feeling it and actually looking it, is completely different,” Ward explained.

“Actually, I was terrified – I was scared. Because it’s such a huge deal.”

Touching on some of the public’s negative perceptions of him, Manara continued: “And we need to talk about this because I feel like I’ve got to know you a little bit, we’ve spoken loads over the last couple of weeks.

“But some people online were saying things like you had a big ego – I mean I personally don’t think so – what would you say to that?”

“For me, you know, I can’t speak for them or what it was that they saw,” Ward began. “Maybe because I was complimented on my confidence… but I challenge anybody to learn a dance like that and stand on that dance floor and just give it your all.

“And that’s all I was trying to do, so I can’t speak for those people. But I’ve been told for this week, because it’s only human if someone says something negative to kind of gravitate towards it, but I’m going to just enjoy the many lovely compliments that people have sent.”

“And there were so many, Shayne,” Manrara assured him, adding: “You’re brilliant, don’t lose that confidence.”

It comes after Ward made similar remarks on his social media after spotting the backlash online.

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Looking to the future, the pair revealed they’d be dancing a tango to The Door by Teddy Swims this weekend.

Manrara went on to reveal the pair would be rehearsing in the studio for the first time on Friday. When asked what Ward needs to work on, the 33-year-old choreographer replied: “We do take the judges’ comments on board.

“We’ll focus on that. Last week, the big comment from the judges was posture. And obviously ballroom, especially for a male lead, is all about posture.”