John Fashanu: who is the former football player set to appear on ITV’s Dancing on Ice 2023?

Dancing on Ice is returning to our televisions next weekend and John Fashanu is preparing his skates to take on the challenge
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Popular ITV figure skating contest, Dancing on Ice is set to return on Sunday 15 January at 6:30pm.

Eleven celebrities including Joey Essex, Patsy Palmer and Michelle Heaton have been preparing to take on the challenge over the next few weeks.

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The live programme is set to make its return next weekend with celebrities gearing up to show off their figure skating routines to the four judges, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.

The reality show is beginning its 15th season after previously crowning winners such as last year’s Regan Gascoigne and others such as Joe Swash and Ray Quinn.

Who is John Fashanu?

John Fashanu has signed up to test his figure skating skills on the latest series of Dancing on IceJohn Fashanu has signed up to test his figure skating skills on the latest series of Dancing on Ice
John Fashanu has signed up to test his figure skating skills on the latest series of Dancing on Ice

John Fashanu has signed up as one of the celebrities to compete in this year’s Dancing on Ice Competition.

John was born on 18 September1962 in Kensington and had an older brother called Justin.

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When John Fashanu was a child, his parents split up and the two brothers were sent to a Barnardo’s care home.

At the age of five the pair were fostered by Alf and Betty Jackson who brought John and Justin up in their home in Shropham, Norfolk.

John Fashanu is a former football player playing for teams such as Norwich City and WimbledonJohn Fashanu is a former football player playing for teams such as Norwich City and Wimbledon
John Fashanu is a former football player playing for teams such as Norwich City and Wimbledon

What is John Fashanu known for?

John Fashanu is an television presenter and is also a former football player.

His footballing career began in 1979 when the 17-year-old joined Norwich City and then turned professional two years later.

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In 1986, John then joined Wimbledon where he spent eight years playing as the club’s centre-forward.

The former football player also made appearances at Miramar Rangers, Lincoln City, Crystal Palace, Millwall and Aston Villa, as well as being capped twice for England.

Once John had left his football career behind, the former player went on to co-host television show Gladiators in the 1990s.

The former football player also managed his own Sunday league football team ‘Fash FC’ on Bravo.

Does John Fashanu have any family?

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John Fashanu is currently single after being married three times.

The former football player has four children, two boys and two girls, including Amal who is a presenter and journalist and Alannah, Akim and Amir.

John Fashanu was last married in 2015 to Abigail Onyewelu but the couple faced explosive divorce proceedings in Nigeria.

What happened to John Fashanu’s brother?

John’s brother Justin was the first openly gay professional football player who ended up taking his own life in 1998John’s brother Justin was the first openly gay professional football player who ended up taking his own life in 1998
John’s brother Justin was the first openly gay professional football player who ended up taking his own life in 1998

John Fashanu disowned his brother Justin after the older brother came out as gay, with the former football player telling The Voice that his brother was “an outcast”.

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In 1998, Justin took his own life and John expressed remorse for abandoning his brother after coming out.

Despite this, in 2012, John spoke to TalkSport where he made claims his brother was not gay and was merely seeking attention.

Justin was the first professional footballer to come out as gay and John told The Sun: “If anyone was to blame for what happened it was me. I shunned my brother. If I was like that with him, what was everyone else like?”

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