‘Chariots’ steps into the limelight again

Jan 10 2008 by Alex Turner, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DANCING around defenders was Martin Offiah’s trademark when he played at Naughton Park.

Now fans can relive his fancy footwork as his feet move to a different beat on the dance floor.

Offiah will perform in the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour that comes to Manchester in February.

It isn’t the first time the rugby legend has hit the dance floors of the city and he fondly recalls heading for the city’s trendiest nightspots.

He said: “I used to enjoy going clubbing. I’d go with Ellery Hanley to the Hacienda.”

But ‘Chariots’ Offiah has no plans to get involved in rugby league in the way his former dancefloor colleague is doing.

Former St Helens and Great Britain coach Hanley has been appointed coach of National League One side Doncaster Lakers – a position vacated by the resignation of John Stankevitch, who has since returned to Widnes as Steve McCormack’s assistant.

“I don’t see myself getting involved in coaching,” said Offiah.

“I now do some work for a sports agency looking after Harlequins’ Rikki Sheriffe and Michael Worrincy, which I love doing.”

And the 40 year-old former flyer, who came fourth with dance partner Erin Boag in the first series of the BBC1 show in 2004, has already taken his dancing shoes out of the cupboard with rehearsals starting this week.

Offiah said: “I’m getting myself geared up for the tour.

“I have a new partner as Erin has got a prior commitment so I am teaming up with Camilla Dallerup.

“It should be quite intense even though I am only doing half the tour dates.”

Camilla will also be appearing on the tour with TV chef James Martin, her series-three partner.

In this year’s reality show, the Danish dancer just missed out on a place in the final with Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.

Offiah aims to be in top shape for the tour, eschewing the excesses of Christmas, and his 41st birthday four days later.

He said: “I was quite busy over Christmas with DJ’ing. When rehearsals start, it will be quite intense.

“I did the Champions show in 2005 and I have kept myself in shape.”

He has also been keeping an eye on the fortunes of the Vikings after their troubles of the off-season.

He said: “The new owners seem to be turning things around. It’s definitely a rebuilding stage.

“I’ll be doing some dinners in the New Year with Jonathan Davies to help raise some money for the club.”

It is a long way from the four seasons he enjoyed at Widnes after signing from rugby union side Rosslyn Park.

He scored 181 tries in 145 games for the Chemics from 1987-91, before moving to Wigan for a world record fee of £440,000.

Offiah scored a brace of tries in Widnes’s finest 80 minutes when they defeated Canberra Raiders 30-18 at Old Trafford to earn the right to call themselves the best team in the world.

Now, with the changes taking place at the Stobart Stadium Halton, it might not be too long before Widnes fans get to enjoy such heady times again.

Martin Offiah and the rest of the Strictly Come Dancing Live! cast come to the Manchester Evening News Arena for seven shows from February 2-7, 2008.

Tickets are available on 0844 847 8000 and online at www.men-arena.com