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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Strictly's David James forced to sell off priceless England collection after divorce

This autumn, former England footballer David James will be ditching his goalkeeping gloves and slipping into a pair of dancing shoes to strut his stuff on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor.

The 49-year-old was announced as the latest sports star to sign up for the BBC One show this week.

David clocked up 53 caps for England before going on to work as player manager in India at Kerala Blasters FC. He also worked as a BT Sport pundit and appeared on The Great Sport Relief Bake Off in 2016.

But his time in the limelight hasn't always been so rosy.

David hit a low point in 2014 when he was declared bankrupt - despite earning around £20million from football.

His debts spiralled after a costly divorce from wife Tanya in 2005, with whom he shares four children.

David's money woes following the split led him to from his long and glittering career.

(PA)

Treasured football shirts, shorts and footballs were picked over at an online auction.

An England shirt that James wore as a substitute in the Three Lions' 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina in 2002 fetched £672.

While a Liverpool FC goalkeeper's jersey worn during the Reds' 1995/96 season sold for more than £160 and a Portsmouth No 1 top James wore in 2008 went for £480.

Other goods included a boxed and unused retro Raleigh Chopper bicycle which went for more than £1,000 after drawing the attention of 26 bidders.

As well as sporting memorabilia, vinyl records, music equipment and even a petrol-driven chainsaw were auctioned through Kent-based Hilco.

The site had promised the sale would feature "unique football memorabilia and personal effects from one of England's most iconic goalkeepers".

At the time it was understood David's ex demanded a share of his future earnings. His assets at the time were thought to be around £6m and the couple owned seven properties.

David James will now be appearing in Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)

This week David James was confirmed to be joining the line-up of 2019's Strictly Come Dancing .

His name was one of the first to be announced on this week,along with comedian Chris Ramsey and EastEnders actress Emma Barton.

David, 48,tweeted after the reveal: "I’m really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year’s stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill, #LetsGetLive"

YouTube star Saffron Barker and Catherine Tyldesley have since been confirmed as his co-stars.

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