Premier League legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is set to dazzle audiences in the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. But beyond just earning a pay cheque, Hasselbaink has already shared his heartfelt reason for stepping onto the dance floor.

Upon joining the popular BBC show, the former Chelsea and Leeds striker Hasselbaink revealed: "The drive is more about showing my girls that I can put myself in a vulnerable position and try to learn a new skill, try to compete and work hard to become better and be open-minded." It's only fitting as two of Hasselbaink's four daughters inspired him by starring in a Netflix adaptation of a highly successful film. His wife, on the other hand, prefers to keep a low profile as Express Sport delves into some of the highs and lows the football legend has faced over the years.

Little is known about Hasselbaink's wife, and one might assume her absence from the public eye is deliberate. However, there have been rare instances when partner Natalie has been seen with the former Premier League star.

It's believed the couple tied the knot in 2012, just before Jimmy embarked on his journey into senior coaching. The Sun reported the pair were married at Cowarth Park in Ascot.

According to her private Instagram account, the mysterious Mrs. Hasselbaink appears to have some connection with developmental language disorder (DLD). Beyond that, the couple are parents to three daughters, while Hasselbaink has another daughter from a previous relationship.

When it comes to the couple's extended family, Hasselbaink boasts two daughters who are already creating ripples in the entertainment industry. This follows Miah and Lauren Hasselbaink's appearances in Netflix's adaptation of Matilda the Musical in 2022.

The sibling duo took on supporting roles in the blockbuster production, which boasts an A-list cast including Stephen Graham, Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch. Both sisters have representation through Mary Liz Management, while Miah has already secured additional work, featuring in The Man In My Basement alongside Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe.

Drawing parallels between his own Strictly journey and his daughters' artistic pursuits, Hasselbaink emphasised his delight in immersing himself in their creative worlds. But his venture into the ballroom arena could well prove the most formidable challenge of his professional life.

"That's our thing. I've got a daughter as well that used to be in the West End and does performing arts and drama," he told Covers. "She can dance and sing, and my middle daughter as well. So, the dancing and the singing and stuff.

"It is very common in my household. They are not footballers, so I have to integrate myself into their world, which I do with all pleasure."

One of the most troubling chapters in Hasselbaink's career concerns allegations of misconduct that emerged following a Telegraph undercover investigation in 2016. The newspaper's sting operation alleged Hasselbaink had travelled to Singapore and discussed a £55,000 payment for Queens Park Rangers, whom he was managing at the time, to purchase specific players.

Reporters masqueraded as representatives from a fake investment company seeking involvement in player transfers. The Telegraph quoted Hasselbaink requesting a non-specific fee as he allegedly said: "Look, just try to make me happy... come up with a nice figure."

QPR issued a statement supporting their manager at the time, though he was dismissed from his role approximately five weeks later. Sky Sports reported the Dutchman was "devastated" by the claims, with Hasselbaink refuting any misconduct while acknowledging he may have been "naive.

"You reflect, you think back and you criticise yourself and you must say that I have been naive," he said in September 2016, the day following the Telegraph article's publication. "But then, with everything with it, I have never asked for money for myself to take a player or to bring a player to the club. I would never do that. That's the painful thing about it."

Hasselbaink wasn't the sole football personality embroiled in the probe, with at least one other official resigning from his post as a result. Hasselbaink subsequently took the reins at Northampton Town and Burton Albion before accepting an assistant coaching position with England's national team, a role he vacated last year.