Dancing on Ice is set for a scintillating return to ITV early next year, replete with fresh faces. A dozen stars will lace up their skates and hit the rink every week in an electrifying play for the panel’s plaudits.
The forthcoming series promises a healthy sprinkle of sparkle and blockbuster performances as celebrities muster their courage to master the art of ice dancing.
So, which celebs are primed to dazzle and who can truly command the complex moves?
Here’s the lineup announced to date:
Ferne McCann
Stepping into the spotlight as the first celebrity confirmed for the show is TV star Ferne McCann.
Sharing her thoughts with GMB exclusively, she revealed: “I’m so excited, it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m excited for the glitz and glamour of the show.”
A familiar face from The Only Way Is Essex, Ferne isn’t a rookie in the arena of competition back in 2015, she battled through to third place in the fifteenth edition of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Mollie Pearce
Traitors star Mollie Pearce was the second celebrity to be announced as part of the lineup.
Lorraine Kelly revealed the contestant on her show, with Lorraine calling her a “brave soul”.
She said: “I’m raring to go now, the thought of it is scary but I just want to get started.
“My mum used to take me skating a lot when I was young.” She called radio presenter Adele Roberts her “inspiration” for taking part.
Mollie had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis aged 11. She said she wanted to show how people can live a “full, happy life” and she has always been able to “adapt”.
She added: “It will be fun, I want to challenge myself, I’m ready for the challenge.”
Sir Steve Redgrave
Olympic star Steve Redgrave was announced on This Morning as the third contestant.
He opened up on his relationship with pro skaters Torvill and Dean and how he joked about joining this year’s show.
He added: “There has been a lot of doubt in my mind. We have been encouraged not to [practice]. Our formal training is two hours a day, every day, you’re not allowed to do any more.”
He admitted he had a competitive instinct, although he retired 24 years ago. He added: “My friends say it’s a midlife crisis but I’m too old for a midlife crisis.”
The star said he has taken his children ice skating but always “held on to the side”. He feared he was the “heaviest on the show” which could be a challenge.
Sam Aston
Soap legend Sam Aston was named as the fourth contestant to sign up and they opened up to the This Morning hosts about the task ahead.
He said: “I can’t say it’s something I always wanted to do. I never thought about it in the past.
“They were really lovely, it was very laid back and that was it.”
He said coming into Corrie as a young child he had never thought about taking part in a reality TV show. Now, with children of his own, he was eager to make his kids proud.
He added: “I’m nervous, don’t get me wrong, but I’m excited.”
