London:
Gavin Henson has admitted that he appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing only because he needed the money. But the troubled Wales and Saracens star claims his success on the show has helped to save his rugby career.Henson, 28, has been out of rugby for 17 months and has suffered the anguish of the public break-up with the singer Charlotte Church, the mother of his two young children.
But, as the Welshman prepared for what should be his long-awaited comeback for Saracens in yesterday's Aviva Premiership clash with Wasps at Wembley, he insisted: Playing for Saracens in front of 50,000 people will be easy in comparison with having to dance on strictly in front of a Tv audience of ten million.
Henson claims his confidence and desire to play rugby have returned since his appearances both on Strictly Come Dancing, where he was a semi-finalist, and on iTv s adventure reality show, 71 Degrees North, where he was runner-up.
"I got involved in the shows because I needed the money," he said. "It's not something I'd normally do. I've never known nerves like those felt on Strictly. But the whole experience has brought me out of my shell. I have a lot more confidence in myself now and I'll try to bring this into my rugby."
GulfNews
