Daily Irish Mail
24 November 2012
By Alisdair Glennie
It’s only eight months since he collapsed in front of millions on the football pitch – but these pictures show how Fabrice Muamba is raring to get back … on the dance floor at least.
The 24 year old footballer has made an astonishing recovery from the cardiac arrest he suffered during a televised match and is now preparing to star in Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special, the Mail can reveal.
The Bolton Wanderers star’s partner will be professional dancer Aliona Vilani, 28.
Muamba retired from football in the summer on the advice of doctors after his collapse during an FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur. During the cardiac arrest his heart stopped for 76 minutes.
He was fitted with a pacemaker and admitted his Strictly practice sessions were taking their toll. ‘This is definitely the hardest thing I have done since my recovery,’ he said. But he confirmed that doctors had given him the all-clear to compete, adding: ‘I’m feeling good now. I’ve already been training with Aliona for a week and there are no complaints.’
‘But I have a new respect for dancers. I have always been a massive fan of Strictly so it is a pleasure to take part.’
The former midfielder previously admitted that he was keen to take part in the show and that he was asked to go on another dance spectacle, but turned it down.
He said: ‘I was approached to do Dancing On Ice, but I had to say no. That’s more dangerous than football. My insurance definitely doesn’t cover that. But I’d do Strictly Come Dancing. I love my salsa so I’d be well up for that.’