Shayne Ward’s huge net worth from pop and soap career amid Strictly success

Strictly’s Shayne Ward is a man of many talents, having won talent show The X Factor before going on to have a successful music career and later a role on Coronation Street

Former Corrie star Shayne Ward, who is currently partnered with dancer Nancy Xu on Strictly Come Dancing, has had a lucrative career away from the ballroom. The actor and singer, one of 15 contestants on this year’s show, has amassed a fortune estimated at £2.3million according to The Sun and Celebrity Net Worth.

Shayne shot to fame after winning the X Factor in 2005 and scoring a number one hit with his single That’s My Goal. Music mogul Simon Cowell subsequently signed him to a recording contract reportedly worth over £700,000. His debut album went four times platinum, likely earning him a tidy sum, reports OK!.

Shayne Ward is currently shimmying his way across the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom with pro Nancy Xu (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Shayne continued to enjoy chart success with singles including That’s My Goal, which was a Christmas No. 1, and No Promises. He was once rumoured to be joining Take That following Jason Orange’s departure, but instead landed a role as Aidan in Coronation Street. His portrayal of Aidan’s tragic suicide in May 2018 won him a National Television Award in 2016.

Insiders have claimed that Shayne was paid £80,000 a year for his role on the soap, according to the publication. In 2023, he made a TV comeback in The Good Ship Murder, a Channel 5 detective series set on a cruise ship, alongside ex-Corrie star Cath Tyldesley. Two more series of the drama were confirmed in April this year.

Shayne is gearing up for a guest appearance on BBC’s daytime drama Doctors, in an episode titled Shock Therapy, where he’ll portray Kenny Webb. This new role comes amid some negative feedback Shayne has encountered since his first twirl on Strictly Come Dancing.

He admitted to feeling a bit bruised by online critics who pegged him as “over confident”, while he was actually “terrified” before hitting the dance floor. He bounced back with a powerful tango alongside his dance partner Nancy to Teddy Swims’ track The Door, earning them a score of 31 and boosting his total to 52. Head judge Shirley Ballas commended their performance, encouraging Shayne to maintain his confidence and “head high”.

Shayne won the X Factor in 2005 and scored a number one with the single That’s My Goal (Image: EAST KILBRIDE NEWS)

In a touching gesture just hours before his Strictly debut, Shayne expressed his gratitude towards his former Hollyoaks star fiancee and mother of his two children. On Instagram, he posted a snapshot of the pair, soundtracked by Starship’s anthem Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.

Shayne penned a heartfelt message: “As the first show is approaching and lights are preparing to shine brighter than ever before, I want to take this moment to say how grateful I am to my fiancee [Sophie] for putting me forward for [Strictly]. Sophie has adored the show for years, and she’s always said that I should give it a whirl.”