Back-from-dead player’s Strictly plea

FOOTBALL star Fabrice Muamba showed how far his recovery had come yesterday after being brought back from the dead as he enjoyed a kickabout – and said he wants to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Muamba collapsed in front of 35,000 fans during an FA Cup tie against Spurs seven months ago when he suffered a heart attack.

The Zaire-born player, who married at the weekend, was technically dead for 78 minutes but was brought back after
repeated shocks from a defibrillator which started his heart once more.

He has since been forced to give up the game he loves but in an interview, the 24-year-old revealed he has not been short of offers now he is on the mend.

“I was approached to do Dancing On Ice, but I had to say no. That’s more dangerous than football,” he said.

“My insurance definitely doesn’t cover that. But I’d do Strictly Come Dancing. I love my salsa, so I’d be well up for that.”

To show he has returned from the brink, Muamba took part in a game of football in Kent with children who have disabilities and special needs as part of next month’s BBC Children In Need activities.

“It’s only the second time I’ve had a chance to kick a football since I had my cardiac arrest,” he said. “I’m just excited to play. I’ve been given a second opportunity in life.”

He said he saw playing with the children as a “second chance”.