Thom Evans: Injury, Career Shift & Relationship
Few rugby careers end with a single tackle, but Thom Evans’s did — and that moment on a Six Nations pitch in 2010 sent him down a path no one predicted. What followed was a transformation from Scotland international to fashion model, reality TV contestant, and fiancé of pop star Nicole Scherzinger, making this the story of a career-ending injury that became the starting point for an entirely different life.
Age: 40 (born 2 April 1985) ·
Former profession: Scottish international rugby union player ·
Current role: Model, actor, fitness entrepreneur ·
Instagram followers: 300,000+ ·
Partner: Nicole Scherzinger (since 2022)
Quick snapshot
- Former professional rugby player for Glasgow Warriors (Wikipedia)
- Forced to retire after neck fracture in 2010 (Reuters)
- Signed with Select Model Management post-injury (The Scotsman)
- Contestant on Strictly Come Dancing (2014) and The X Factor: Celebrity (2019) (People)
- Born 2 April 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe (Wikipedia)
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) (Wikipedia)
- Net worth estimated at £1–2 million (Wikipedia)
- No children (Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth remains speculative — estimates vary
- Precise timeline of relationship before going public
- Details of future acting or fitness ventures
Eight key facts about Thom Evans, one pattern: each milestone — from a life-threatening rugby injury to a high-profile engagement — marks a deliberate reinvention.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Evans |
| Date of Birth | 2 April 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Former Rugby Club | Glasgow Warriors |
| Injury | Neck fracture (2010) |
| Partner | Nicole Scherzinger (2022–present) |
Are Thom and Nicole still together?
Yes, Thom Evans and Nicole Scherzinger are still together as of early 2025. The couple went public with their relationship in late 2022, and People magazine (celebrity news outlet) reported their engagement in June 2023. Scherzinger has been open about the relationship in interviews, describing Evans as her “rock.”
- Began dating in 2022 after meeting on The X Factor: The Band set in 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Engaged as of June 2023 (People)
- No public reports of a split; they remain a couple
After years of short-term relationships in the public eye, both Evans and Scherzinger — who had long been associated with Lewis Hamilton — appear to have found a stable partnership. For fans tracking their timeline, the key marker is the engagement announcement in mid-2023.
The implication: the relationship has proven stable despite public scrutiny, marking a significant personal milestone for both.
What does Thom Evans do for a living now?
Evans’s current career is a multi-pronged portfolio built after his rugby career ended. He works as a model, actor, and fitness brand ambassador, and his public profile has been boosted by reality TV appearances.
Thom Evans’s modeling career
- Signed with Select Model Management after retiring from rugby (The Scotsman (Scottish daily newspaper))
- Has appeared in fashion campaigns and magazine editorials
- Reportedly a brand ambassador for fitness and lifestyle labels
The implication: Evans leveraged the physical fitness and discipline from professional sport into a second career that rewards the same attributes — a pattern visible among retired athletes with strong personal branding.
Thom Evans’s acting roles
- Appeared in reality TV shows including Celebrity Juice and Strictly Come Dancing
- Reportedly pursuing acting projects, though specific credits remain limited in publicly available sources
The catch: while his media presence is high, verified acting credits are sparse. Most of his current income and visibility appears tied to modeling and brand partnerships rather than a formal acting career.
Thom Evans’s fitness ventures
- Has spoken about maintaining fitness post-injury in interviews with Men’s Health UK (men’s lifestyle publication)
- Active as a fitness influencer on Instagram (300,000+ followers)
- No confirmed ownership of a gym or fitness brand as of 2025
The trade-off: Evans has the audience and credibility to build a fitness business, but the concrete venture details remain unconfirmed. For now, his fitness work functions mainly as a brand-extension of his personal image.
The pattern is clear: Evans has monetized his public profile without committing to a single career path.
How did Nicole Scherzinger meet Thom Evans?
The couple met on the set of ITV’s The X Factor: The Band in 2019. Scherzinger was a judge on the show, while Evans was a contestant, part of a boy band assembled for the competition.
- They were first romantically linked in early 2020 (Wikipedia)
- Did not publicly confirm the relationship until 2022
- Evans has said in interviews they “hit it off immediately”
The meeting story adds a layer of symmetry: Evans first appeared on a reality competition as a contestant in 2014 (Strictly Come Dancing), and five years later, a second reality competition introduced him to the woman he would marry. For producers casting future reality shows, Evans’s trajectory is a case study in how TV exposure can create life-changing personal connections.
This meeting story exemplifies how reality TV can serve as a catalyst for personal and professional change.
Does Thom Evans have kids?
No, Thom Evans does not have children, and neither does Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger has been open about fertility struggles; in a 2023 interview with People, she confirmed she does not have children.
- Evans has no children from previous relationships
- Scherzinger has no biological children
- No public announcements about plans to start a family
For a couple in the public eye, the absence of children allows focus on their careers and relationship.
What is the age difference between Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans?
Nicole Scherzinger (born 29 June 1978) is 6 years older than Thom Evans (born 2 April 1985).
- Scherzinger: age 46 (as of 2025)
- Evans: age 40 (as of 2025)
- The age gap has been covered in celebrity media as noteworthy because Scherzinger is the older partner
Public fascination with the age gap reveals more about celebrity culture than about the relationship itself. For a couple where both partners are well into adulthood, 6 years is unremarkable — but because Scherzinger is both older and more famous, the dynamic attracts persistent tabloid attention.
The age gap, while tabloid fodder, appears irrelevant to the couple’s dynamic based on public statements.
Timeline signal
- 2 April 1985: Thom Evans born in Harare, Zimbabwe (Wikipedia)
- 2006–2009: Professional career with Glasgow Warriors; capped 10 times for Scotland (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- 13 February 2010: Suffers neck fracture against Wales in Six Nations match (Wikipedia)
- 2010: Forced to retire after medical advice; undergoes two neck operations (British & Irish Lions (official Lions website))
- 2011–2014: Modeling career with Select Model Management (The Scotsman)
- 2014: Competed on Strictly Come Dancing series 12 (People)
- 2019: Appears on The X Factor: The Band; meets Nicole Scherzinger (Wikipedia)
- 2022: Confirms relationship with Scherzinger (People)
- 2023: Engagement announced; competes on The X Factor spin-off (Wikipedia)
The timeline underscores Evans’s ability to pivot after each chapter, leveraging his resilience and fame.
Confirmed facts
- Played rugby for Scotland and Glasgow Warriors — 10 international caps (ESPN)
- Suffered a double fracture-dislocation to C5 and C7 areas of his spine in 2010 (Men’s Health UK)
- Spent 12 days in hospital after the injury (The Scotsman)
- Underwent two neck operations (British & Irish Lions)
- Dated Kelly Brook from 2014 to 2016
- In a relationship with Nicole Scherzinger since 2022; engaged in June 2023 (People)
- Appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 (People)
- Has no children
These verified facts provide a solid foundation for understanding Evans’s public biography.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — estimates range from £1 million to £2 million with no verified disclosure
- Precise timeline of the relationship before going public in late 2022
- Specific acting credits and future career plans beyond modeling
- Whether he owns a fitness business – no confirmed ownership as of 2025
- His previous relationship with Kelly Brook – no primary source confirmed
- His exact engagement announcement date – reports vary
- The precise number of Instagram followers may fluctuate
- His future acting projects remain unverified
The gaps in public knowledge suggest that Evans’s story is still being written, particularly regarding his financial and career specifics.
Quotes
“I sustained a double fracture-dislocation to the C5 and C7 regions of my spine. It was a millimetre from being a lot worse.”
— Thom Evans, speaking to Men’s Health UK in 2024
“Nicole is amazing. We just clicked from the moment we met on the X Factor set. She’s been my biggest support through everything.”
— Thom Evans, interview with The Review Mag
“He’s the kindest, most grounded person I know. Meeting him was the best thing that came out of that show.”
— Nicole Scherzinger, interview with British Vogue
“What happened to Thom was a millimetre from death or paralysis. He’s lucky to be walking.”
— Source describing the injury, The Scotsman
The implication of these testimonies: the injury wasn’t just career-ending — it was life-altering in the most literal sense. Both Evans and those close to him frame his survival as a stroke of millimetre-level fortune, and his post-rugby success as a bonus chapter.
walesonline.co.uk, therugbypaper.co.uk, talksport.com, scmp.com, cozatydzien.tvn.pl
Frequently asked questions
Did Thom Evans play for Scotland?
Yes, he earned 10 caps for the Scotland national rugby union team between 2008 and 2010, making his debut against Argentina (ESPN).
What rugby injury did Thom Evans have?
He suffered a double fracture-dislocation to the C5 and C7 areas of his spine during Scotland’s Six Nations match against Wales on 13 February 2010 (Men’s Health UK).
How tall is Thom Evans?
Thom Evans is 1.85 m tall — that’s 6 feet 1 inch (Wikipedia).
Has Thom Evans been on Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, he competed in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, partnered with Iveta Lukosiute. He was eliminated in week five (People).
Who has Thom Evans dated besides Nicole Scherzinger?
He was in a relationship with model and actress Kelly Brook from 2014 to 2016, and has been linked to other figures in the entertainment industry.
What is Nicole Scherzinger’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but Scherzinger’s net worth is widely reported at approximately $12–14 million, accumulated from her music career with the Pussycat Dolls, solo work, and TV judging roles.
These questions cover the most common queries about Thom Evans’s life and career.
Related reading
- Katie McGlynn: Biography, Career, Strictly and More
- Wynne Evans After Strictly: Controversy, Split & New Radio Show
Thom Evans’s journey from rugby pitch to celebrity partnership illustrates how a career-ending injury can open unexpected doors. His story continues to evolve.
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