• last year
Man Utd fan and Strictly star Rachel Riley has helped set a new world record for the largest synchronised goal celebration - with the help of hundreds of Lionesses fans.

The TV presenter used her dancing know-how to lead more than 500 fans in a synchronised mash-up of popular goal celebrations as England defeated Haiti.

Among the celebrations featured were Cristiano Ronaldo's ‘Siuuu’, Peter Crouch’s 'robot dance', and Lionel Messi’s 'two fingers to the sky'.

It took place at Wembley Stadium’s BOXPARK fan zone, which has been renamed ‘WeetaBOXPARK’ for England's first two matches, following a partnership with Weetabix.'

Rachel, 37, who teamed-up with the cereal brand to help set the new record, said: “As a nation, we all love a good goal celebration - it unites us in support.

“This record break was the perfect way to bring football fans together to have some fun and show the Lionesses and how proud we are of them.

“I learnt a lot during my time on Strictly, but this routine was a different dance sequence altogether. I hope I did Crouchy proud!”

The mass-dance follows a study, commissioned by Weetabix, into the greatest football goal celebrations of all-time - with Peter Crouch’s robot dance coming top.

Paul Gascoigne’s 'dentist chair' finished in second place and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuu’ secured third spot.

Other notable goal celebrations included Jürgen Klinsmann’s 'dive', Eric Cantona’s 'boss man' stance, and Jimmy Bullard’s half time team talk.

Celebrations from the women’s game made the cut too - including Chloe Kelly swinging her top overhead, and Ellen White's 'goggles' celebration.

Rachel added: “I loved that Chloe Kelly’s iconic goal celebration came out as 10th in the most iconic moves of all time.

"It really shows how football fans have moved on and that the Lionesses are now seen as rivals to the major men’s players.”

It also emerged 60 per cent, of the 1,000 football fans polled, believe a truly great celebration can make a goal “even better”.

Another 62 per cent believe goal celebrations have the power to unite countries when cheering on their side.

And an iconic celebration can also get more people playing football - as 39 per cent believe Chloe Kelly’s at England’s Championship win in 2022 - inspired more young girls to take up the sport.

Rachel said: “As a mum to two girls, I love that the Lionesses are such incredible role models.

"And I’m sure they will inspire my two little ones to want to lace up their football boots in the future.

“Weetabix have been championing women’s football for years.

“And I love that they’re on a mission to inspire more young girls to get into the beautiful game through their Weetabix Wildcats initiative, where young girls aged 5-11 can play, have fun and find a new sense of confidence.

“I wish something like that existed when I was younger!”

The study found 77 per cent of fans polled follow the women’s game, with 35 per cent putting it down to just enjoying all football.

Category

😹
Fun
Transcript
00:00 [crowd cheering]
00:02 The Lionesses had us all celebrating last year
00:07 and I am here at Box Park Wembley
00:09 ahead of their first match in the tournament of the year.
00:12 And we are about to attempt something rather special.
00:15 Now, we to Bix want us celebrating together, as do I,
00:19 which is why we are going to attempt to set the record
00:22 for the world's largest synchronized goal celebration.
00:25 Now, I am going to be drawing on all of my Strictly training
00:28 to lead these football fans in a dance celebrating
00:31 the nation's most iconic celebration moves.
00:34 [upbeat music]
00:36 Good morning, everybody.
00:48 Who is with me?
00:49 Who's up for this?
00:50 [upbeat music]
00:57 It's been a great morning at Worcester Box Park.
00:59 Everyone's been in amazing spirits.
01:00 The whole audience were ready to set that world record.
01:03 They all gave it their all with their dance moves.
01:05 And there were a few super movers at the front
01:07 who really showed their enthusiasm,
01:09 which I definitely appreciate.
01:10 Thanks, girls.
01:11 Come on, England!
01:13 I really love breaking the record.
01:14 It's really fun to do.
01:15 My favorite celebration is Super Annual.
01:17 Getting more young girls into football
01:19 and breaking down those barriers,
01:20 which is perfect for things like the Women's World Cup
01:22 and getting more of that engagement behind it.
01:25 (audience laughing)

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