Harry Redknapp has opened up about his trial for Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Amy Dowden, revealing that one comment from the 35-year-old took him by surprise before he ultimately declined the show's offer.
Amy Dowden's Surprising Comment
Speaking at Shoreditch's Ruffians Barber Shop for World Cuts, a football-inspired activation from Viagogo and Ruffian, the former football manager shared his experience with the dancer. "Amy, yeah she was lovely, absolutely lovely girl," Redknapp said. He added, "I hope Amy is okay now, obviously she had some health problems, but she was fantastic."
Redknapp, 79, recalled that producers sent Dowden to his home for a trial session after offering him a spot on the show. However, he decided the programme wasn't for him. "So, I just decided that it [Strictly] wasn't something that I wanted to do. I would have been no good," he explained, jokingly denying he had any dance moves: "Sandra's [his wife] is probably looking for them, she hasn't seen them yet."
Trial Location Change
On his podcast, The Harry Redknapp Show, Redknapp previously discussed the initial location of his audition. Dowden had booked the Meyrick Park Golf club, but Redknapp urged her to change it. "I said, 'I can't go there, my mates are all playing golf there,'" he recalled. "I said, 'I'm going to be dancing around with a young bird, they're going to think, 'What's he up to?'''
The team switched the audition to his kitchen, where Redknapp attempted the Cha Cha Cha. After stepping on Dowden's feet about six times, he realised the show wasn't for him. "When I trod on her feet about six times - I think they realised I couldn't dance," he laughed.
Amy Dowden's Return to Strictly
Amy Dowden returns to the Strictly dance floor this year after a turbulent three years. She was forced to withdraw from the 2023 series after being diagnosed with breast cancer, but she has since been given the all-clear. She returned in 2024 but left the show while dancing with JLS star JB Gill after falling ill behind the scenes. Last year, she returned again, though her celebrity partner Thomas Skinner became the first contestant voted out.
Confirmed names for the 2026 series so far include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, and Chris Appleton, with more expected to be announced.
Celebrity Gogglebox Appearance
Tonight, Celebrity Gogglebox will see Amy Dowden and her Strictly co-star Carlos Gu take to the sofa for the first time, swapping the ballroom for a night in front of the telly to share their take on the week's biggest TV moments. Celebrity Gogglebox airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
