Former England ace Tony Adams turned down Strictly Come Dancing six years ago as he thought it would ruin his chances as a football boss.
The Arsenal legend, 55, went on to manage a string of football teams after retiring from the pitch.
He admitted: “I still wanted to be a coach, which remains for me the best part of the football business.
“One of the main reasons I turned down chances to go on Strictly Come Dancing – despite the money on offer being good – was because I was concerned about not being taken seriously as a football coach after it.”
The formidable centre-back, who won 66 caps for England, is still the only player to captain a team to three top titles in three different decades and led Arsenal in a 2-0 defeat of Chelsea in the 2002 FA Cup final.
Dad-of-six Adams said of the dance challenge: “To say I’m excited is an understatement.
“The lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for Strictly soft shoes. I can’t wait to meet my partner. God help her!”
