Shaun Wright-Phillips has furiously hit out after former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole claimed the footballer's dad, Ian, making an appearance was a 'PR stunt'

Shaun Wright-Phillips has dismissed claims that his dad Ian's appearance on the show was for publicity. Former professional footballer Shaun, 44, is currently competing with professional dancer Alexis Warr, 26, and his dad, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, 62, has been on hand to support him.

The former footballer appeared in a video recording, visiting his son and Alexis as they rehearsed for the live show. However, former professional Brendan Cole, who appeared on the show between 2004 and 2007, took aim at this.

He told Sky Vegas: "They've already used his dad in the VT. They can’t do that every week. Ian’s very, very popular, probably one of the most popular TV pundits there is. They’ve already used that early doors.

"They could have probably used that next week or the week after to try to keep him in but I'd imagine his days are numbered on the show."

To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google, make us your preferred source. Free and easy to do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed.

However, Shaun has now hit back at these claims. Speaking to Oddschecker, he commented: "Firstly, Dad hasn't been to a show yet because he's been busy.

"He came to a training session, which me and him spoke about over a lunch weekend, and he wanted to pop in, so I said, 'Why not?'"

Shaun went on to add: "I've never used Dad for any public vote. He came because he just wanted to see me at work, and I wanted him there because I know the support he gives. Dad being there has nothing to do with trying to pull in votes, just for the record."

Since making his debut on the show, Shaun has already survived one dance-off. He and Alexis went up against Gavin & Stacey icon Melanie Walters and her professional partner, Aljaž Skorjanec.

The footballer and Alexis danced their Quickstep to I'm A Believer by The Monkees, with Melanie and Aljaž performing the Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit, by Gina G. However, Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas, made the decision to save Shaun and Alexis.

Motsi Mabuse chose to save Melanie and Aljaž. Anton Du Beke, who had the deciding vote, chose to save Shaun and Alexis, meaning Melanie was out of the competition. Shaun, however, is not the only person to feel the wrath of Brendan, who previously lashed out at Amy Dowden after her triumphant return to the show after courageously fighting cancer.

He said that Amy was "not up to the challenge" in an interview earlier this month, adding: "I don't think Amy's been doing a very good job for the last few years, and she's been out first for the last few years. One can do the maths on that."

His comments sparked widespread outrage after Amy was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2023. She announced in February 2024 that she was cancer-free after intensive treatment and subsequently returned to Strictly as a professional dancer.

However, Amy recently hit back at Brendan, saying: "Rather than him worrying about what the headlines were saying about himself, it would've been nice for him to call. He's got my number. Some of those headlines were quite upsetting, he said I've not done a good job since my cancer."