Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Robshaw was forced to invest in top-of-the-range security to keep his family safe from the campaign of harassment by a female stalker over the past year.
The former rugby player was one of the 15 celebrities to be announced for the BBC show last week, but it has since emerged he almost turned down the opportunity due to the situation.
And now friends of the 39-year-old told the Mail about the toll it has taken on his wife, the opera singer Camilla Kerslake, on her mental health after she has been ‘left scared to leave the house on her own with the kids’.
Ms Kerslake, 37, shares Hunter, five, and 18-month-old Wilder, with her husband of seven years and a source close to the family said: ‘Particularly when she was post-partum, she was petrified she wouldn’t be able to outrun this individual.
‘Normally she’s unbreakable, the backbone of the family, but this has reduced her to a shell of the strong woman we all know. For Chris, watching this has been heartbreaking.
‘They have invested in top-of-the-range security systems to keep the family safe.’
Strictly star Chris Robshaw was forced to invest in top-of-the-range security to keep his family safe from the campaign of harassment by a female stalker (pictured with wife Camilla Kerslake)
While the identity of the stalker has not been revealed, it is known that the former Harlequins captain briefly met her twice at work events last year.
Instead of asking for presents for her birthday, it can be revealed Ms Kerslake requested security upgrades to their Surrey mansion, which last year she gave OK magazine a guided tour of.
The source continued: ‘They’ve talked about the idea of a security guard dog because they love their animals but also Camilla especially, would feel more protected.
‘It’s heartbreaking that it’s come to this but that’s how seriously they are taking it.
‘This stalker business is no joke. She’s destroyed the lives of small business owners, families, and left others thousands of pounds out of pocket.
‘The claims she makes are sickening, and some of her victims have been left struggling mentally after their ordeal.’
Six months after meeting the woman, Mr Robshaw was then said to have been targeted by the woman, who proceeded to threaten violence and spread false allegations about him and his colleagues, after which he contacted the police.
It is reported the woman, who is now on the National Police Wanted List, has fled the country and is being pursued by the police.
The former rugby player was one of the 15 celebrities to be announced for the BBC show last week, but it has since emerged he almost turned down the opportunity due to the situation
Friends of Chris told the Mail about the toll it has taken on his wife, the opera singer Camilla Kerslake, and on her mental health
This year’s Strictly cast includes Love Island star Dani Dyer, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, Lioness Karen Carney, Lorraine Showbiz correspondent Ross King and influencer Ellie Goldstein, who made history when she became the first model with Down syndrome to cover British Vogue magazine.
Rugby player Chris, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, YouTuber George Clarke, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, The Apprentice star Tom Skinner and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will also be taking to the Strictly ballroom next month.
The BBC show has endured its fair share of controversy in recent months, with it alleged earlier this month that BBC had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals.
One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath.
Wynne Evans, 53, who competed on the show in 2024, was also accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event, which led to him resigning from the Strictly tour.
In 2023, actress Amanda Abbington, 51, complained about professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, 34, being ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’ during their rehearsals which she said caused her to quit midway through the season.
And in the same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, 28, was left ‘incredibly distressed’ following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, 31, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Kristian Nairn
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it!’
