Dancing on Ice star Steve Redgrave reveals secret health battle that's left little feeling in his feet

Sir Steve Redgrave is taking to the ice for the new series of Dancing on Ice, despite an illness that leaves him with little feeling in his feet and another condition that affects his hands

Olympic medal-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave is taking on the challenge of Dancing on Ice for the new series of the popular ice skating reality show, but has revealed he has a health condition that may make skating more tricky for him.

“I’ve been diabetic for almost thirty years so the sensation in my feet isn’t as good as what it used to be so navigating my footing on the ice could be a problem,” he says. His diabetes isn’t the only medical condition Steve has that could make skating more perilous. “I also have Dupuytren's contracture which affects my hands meaning I can’t make them flat. So if I do fall over, although I’m planning not to, it means I may have trouble getting up.”

Steve has signed up to the show this year because it is the first time he has been available and not in training, and also because he is sharing a special anniversary with two Dancing on Ice judges, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. “Chris and Jayne celebrated their 40th anniversary of them winning in Sarajevo and it’s my 40th anniversary as well,” he says. “The show asked me to record a segment for Chris and Jayne and what they mean to British sport both then and now and at the end of it I said ‘I suppose you’re going to try and get me on the show now’ and here I am.”

While he is best known for his rowing prowess and five Olympic gold medals, Steve has also got some skating experience and knows what he is talking about when it comes to moves on the ice.

“To call yourself a skater you’ve got to be able to do crossovers,” he says. “I’ve done a little bit of skating, I’ve done some short track skating ten years ago and that was one thing I never managed to do. I could get around the rink alright and in relatively good speed but I couldn’t call myself a skater.”

“I suppose that's the challenge to me, I’m starting from a very low level, probably lower than everybody else due to my age, I don’t bounce as much as I used to. To be able to call myself a skater and do crossovers both forwards and backwards would be an excellent place to get to.”

Steve hopes that his training will mean he can take his grandchildren out on the ice, and learn a new skill. “I love my winter sports,” he adds. “I did The Jump many years ago and there was short track skating on that, I’d say speed isn’t my issue… but style will be!”