Who is BBC Six Nations rugby pundit Ugo Monye? Strictly Come Dancing star’s life explained

FORMER England star Ugo Monye is on our screens for this year’s Six Nations after swapping his rugby boots for dancing shoes.

He is part of BBC Sport’s team on rugby coverage alongside familiar faces.

The wing ace took part in Strictly Come Dancing after being convinced by his friend Jamie Laing who took part in the 2020 series.

Who is Ugo Monye?

Born on April 13, 1983, and hailing from Islington in London, he is more used to the sports scene as a former rugby union player turned sports pundit.
Ugo began his career at an early age as a star athlete and competed in the English Schools’ Championships finishing 5th.

A student at Lord Wandsworth College, he eventually decided to pursue rugby when his former sports master Tim Richardson put him in touch with Harlequins’ coach, Colin Osborne.

Who did Ugo Monye play rugby for?

Ugo is a rugby union player who has graced the positions of wing, centre and fullback in his career.

He spent his youth and senior career at Harlequins, with whom he won both the second division, the Premiership title and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Ugo has also played for England, British and Irish Lions (during their 2009 tour to South Africa), Barbarian FC and England Saxons.

He retired from rugby in 2015.

He has since then become a successful sports pundit, presenting the Rugby Union Weekly podcast for the BBC and also hosts on BT Sport.

A brand Ambassador for Maximuscle, it was announced that Ugo would be one of the new team captains on the next season of A Question of Sport, alongside hockey star Sam Quek.

He is the first Strictly contestant to be announced for series 19 of the reality show.

“Ugo can’t wait to get out on the dancefloor and show off his moves”, a source told The Sun.

“He’s not known for his dancing but he’s not afraid of a challenge.”