Strictly: Shayne Ward on 'curse' of dancing first
Shayne Ward is back on Channel 5 tonight, January 10, as The Good Ship Murder's second season officially sets sail. The 40-year-old singer and actor makes his comeback to the small screen after taking part in 2024's Strictly Come Dancing.
He first rose to fame after winning the second season of The X Factor back in 2005, releasing his first single, That's My Goal, in December of that year. He made such an impression that it was confirmed in Gary Barlow's autobiography My Take, that in 2006 fellow Take That member, Jason Orange, threatened to quit the band and Shayne was seriously considered as his replacement.
However, Jason later changed his mind about quitting and the replacement was not needed. In an interview with OK!, Shayne had said: "That was a massive compliment. I’m a huge Take That fan.
"If I’d gone into the band, I’d have loved it, but at the same time I’m my own artist and I’ve only known Take That as the five original members. The fans would’ve been like: ‘We want Jason, we want Robbie!'"
Shayne went off the radar for a few years before returning to the music scene in 2009. It was not until 2015 he would make his acting debut as Aidan Connor in Coronation Street.
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As for his personal life, the star was engaged to actress Faye McKeever from 2012 until 2014.
They had been together for nine years and he announced the split on Twitter, saying: "Sad to announce that myself and Faye have ended our relationship, please respect our privacy. Thank you x."
In 2016, he announced he and his current partner Sophie Austin, a former Hollyoaks actress, were expecting their first child together.
Their daughter Willow was born in December 2016 and a year later, Shayne announced the couple were engaged.
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In June 2022, they welcomed a son having previously been told they were expecting a baby girl.
On social media he had said: "11/06/22 we had a HUGE surprise! Not a baby girl we were expecting but a beautiful baby Boy.
"We are so overjoyed and blessed that sir baby Ward has arrived."
Shayne was born in Mancheser to Irish Traveller parents who settled in the UK and before his participation in The X Factor, he was in a band called Destiny.
He would perform at pubs, clubs and weddings alongside band members Tracy Murphy and Tracey Lyle.
The Good Ship Murder season 2 starts on Channel 5 on Friday at 9pm
