Snooker star Shaun Murphy has thrown his hat into the ring for Strictly Come Dancing after an unusual incident that left him trapped in a ballroom.
Snooker Masters champion Shaun Murphy has joked that he is ready to swap his cue for sequins after a memorable mishap at Blackpool Tower left him locked inside the famous ballroom during the Snooker Shootout week.
Speaking to the BBC, the 42-year-old described the incident as “surreal but oddly inspiring”, admitting that a brief, unexpected stint in one of Britain’s most iconic dance venues had him thinking about a future far beyond the baize. Murphy, known as “The Magician” for his fluent break-building, said the experience reignited long-running suggestions that he would be a natural fit for BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Blackpool Tower Ballroom is synonymous with Strictly, hosting the show’s most celebrated episode each series, and Murphy was quick to see the funny side of finding himself alone beneath the chandeliers. “If you’re going to get locked in anywhere, that’s not a bad place,” he said. “I stood there looking at the floor and thought, well, this is where the Strictly magic happens. Maybe it’s a sign.”
Murphy has never been shy about his love of music and performance. Throughout his career he has spoken openly about the psychological side of sport and the importance of rhythm and timing, qualities that also underpin ballroom dancing. Friends and fellow players have long teased him about a potential appearance on Strictly, pointing to his confidence, posture and willingness to embrace the spotlight.
The incident occurred during a busy week surrounding the Snooker Shootout, a fast-paced ranking event that demands sharp reflexes and quick decision-making. Murphy suggested the contrast between the intensity of competition and the elegance of the ballroom was not lost on him. “Snooker at the highest level is a performance,” he said. “You’re under lights, people are watching every move. In that sense, it’s not a million miles away from dancing.”
While Murphy stressed that his focus remains firmly on snooker, he did not rule out the possibility of a Strictly appearance once his playing days are over. Having already won the World Championship, the Masters and the UK Championship, he has little left to prove in the game. “I’ve always said you should be open to new challenges,” he told the BBC. “Strictly looks terrifying, but so did my first Crucible final.”
Fans were quick to react on social media, with many suggesting that Murphy’s polished image and articulate broadcasting work would make him a popular contestant. Others joked that his famous walk-on music could easily be reworked into a waltz or quickstep.
For now, Murphy is content to laugh off the Blackpool mishap as an amusing footnote in a packed snooker calendar. But as he left the ballroom — eventually freed by staff — the idea of swapping waistcoats for tailcoats no longer seemed quite so far-fetched. “Never say never,” he said.
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