'Dazzler' dances out of step with England selectors

The 35-year-old quickie, who has retired from the Test arena but has been a key part of the one-day side, was omitted from the squad to tour the subcontinent, upon his request, when it was announced last week. David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, cited "Dazzler's" desire to spend more time with his children and made no mention of his love of the cha-cha, but the Beeb is keen to cash in on his bubbly personality.

Gough, a veteran of 157 one-day internationals, still hopes to play for England in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, but by choosing his tuxedo ahead of his flannels he has hampered his chances. Graveney said yesterday: "He has to realise if he gives up his place it might not be easy to get it back. I didn't know anything about [Come Dancing]. It's his choice. Darren decided he didn't want to be considered for the tour and we respected that. We will now see how other people do in his place and it is a great opportunity for them."

Appearing alongside Gough, who featured in England's failed World Cup campaigns in 1996 and 1999 and missed the equally dismal effort in 2003 because of injury, will be the former hurdler Colin Jackson and snooker's Dennis Taylor while David Seaman, the former England goalkeeper, appeared in the last series. Phil Tufnell, a former team-mate of Gough's, successfully forged a career in the media by turning his back on Lord's to become King of the Jungle in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2003.

Like Tufnell, Gough obviously has one eye on his career beyond the boundary, but his dalliance with the dancefloor may cost him his World Cup dream.