The contestants on the new series of Dancing on Ice (DOI) have opened up about signing up for the ITV show ahead of their respective debuts on ice over the weekend.
The line-up for the upcoming series, which was confirmed in September last year, includes a host of celebrities. The latest batch of contestants includes several reality TV stars, a few actors, a stand-up comedian and a football pundit.
Ahead of the launch on Sunday, the celebrities have shared their motivations for joining the new series and what their loved ones think of the decision. The new cast have also revealed whether they have any ice skating experience.
Dan Edgar
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ITV)The Only Way Is Essex cast member Dan Edgar, 34, has revealed that he's been a fan of DOI over the years. Asked why he signed up, he said: "It's obviously a massive show that I've enjoyed watching over the years so I think it will be an amazing experience. I’ve always been able to ice skate."
Dan added that he "every now and again" when he was younger, he would go ice skating. The reality TV star added: "It's the dancing I'm a bit worried about because if you see me on the dance floor, it's almost non existent, it's terrible."
He however shared that he's looking forward to "learning something new" and "having the opportunity to grow with the experience". Dan said that he will "dedicate" himself to the show, teasing: "I'm going for the win".
Asked about his friends and family think of him competing, he said: "They are really excited, they love the show and always watch anything I'm on. My nan will be at the live show every week if she can, she's my number one fan."
Dan added that pal Joey Essex, who was a finalist on DOI in 2023, has given him "a bit of advice". He expressed hope that Joey, as well as some other colleagues from TOWIE, will be able to come and support him.
Mollie Pearce
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ITV)The Traitors runner-up Mollie Pearce, 22, said that she has grown up watching the show with her "mega fan" mum, who used to skate when she was younger. "I'm beyond excited," she revealed ahead of training for the new series.
Asked if she has any skating experience, Mollie said: "Not really". She went on to share with ITV that she hasn't "skated in years" except for the "odd time" at Christmas. She's also described the experience as "learning a new sport" and said that it will push her out of her comfort zone.
Expressing nerves over the live shows, Mollie said that the thought of a "big crowd" makes her "nervous". She shared that although she's been on TV before, she's "never" done anything involving a live audience so she's "apprehensive".
Discussing her support network, she said: "My mum is going to be there every week without fail." Mollie - who appeared on the BBC show last year - added: "I think my Traitors family will also be supporting from the sidelines."
Chelsee Healey
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ITV)Actor Chelsee Healey - known for her roles on shows like Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks - has teased that she loves a "challenge". And she's revealed that DOI is her "first job" since welcoming her second child, Cookie, now one, in 2023.
"How lucky am I being able to have the opportunity to learn a new skill that you'd never normally be able to learn," she commented about the experience. Chelsee added that she's most looking forward to the live shows and being able to perform in front of an audience.
Asked if she has any experience on the ice, she said: "None, I can dance and have rhythm but as far as skating goes I'm completely out of my comfort zone." Chelsee teased that she's "nervous" but will be "alright" as long as she doesn't spend "half the time on [her] bum."
She's shared that her loved ones are "so excited," adding that her partner Eddie has been expressing his pride to her. Chelsee said that her mum is a "massive fan" of DOI and eldest daughter Coco, seven, will "absolutely love it".
Michaela Strachan
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ITV)Springwatch presenter Michaela Strachan, 58, said that she enjoys a "challenge" and fitness, so being able to focus on a project that will "enable" her to "get fitter really appeals" to her. And having trained in musical theatre, she said that being able to go back to performing, after having not done that "for a very long time" is something that "excites" her.
Michaela said that she doesn't have much experience with ice skating, though "probably did it more than the average child" as her mother went through a phase with the sport "many moons ago". She added that she's looking forward to "learning a new skill".
The contestant admitted that she is concerned about about the prospect of her injuring herself though. She teased: "I'm of an age where it takes longer for me to mend." Michaela went on to suggest that her loved ones will want to be there to support her when she competes on the show.
Speaking of the competition though, she teased that she won't consider the other celebrities as her rival. Michaela instead suggested that she's the type of person who "competes against themself" rather than others.
Charlie Brooks
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ITV)Former EastEnders cast member Charlie Brooks, 43, has teased that she's in a phase of her life where she's "saying yes to the world". She said: "Saying yes to things is my new life mantra, I've spent so much time overthinking things whereas now I'm in an era of my life where I just think why not."
The actor added that it will involve "learning a brilliant new skill" and to go outside of her comfort zone. Asked what she's most looking forward to though, Charlie said: "Getting a nice strong fit body and the glitz and glamour of it all."
Discussing her experience on the ice, she described her abilities as "not terrible" after visiting an ice skating rink when she was younger. She added ahead of the launch episode: "I can make my way around but that's all I can do."
Charlie - best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera - also spoke about being supported by loved one. She shared that she has a "very close knit" group of family and friends who will "all be there" on the front row.
Ferne McCann
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ITV)Former the Only Way is Essex cast member Ferne McCann, 34, has said that it "feels like the right time" to take part in the show. The self-confessed fan of DOI said that she loves a "challenge" and the "sporting element" of the show. "Not many people know this about me but I love sports and we have to respect the fact that it's an Olympic sport so I love that combined with the performance element," she said.
Ferne added that it's the "first show" in her career that her whole family, including eldest daughter Sunday, seven, "can watch and be a part of". Ferne said that her family as "all so excited" and will want to be in the audience.
The reality TV star said that her past experience of skating "mainly revolves" around going to Winter Wonderland and Lapland, which will "come in handy". Ferne suggested that her first experience on the ice involved being skated into by another child, whose skate went into her leg. Fern said she ended up in A&E needing stitches but added: "Like anything in my life, I get back up and here we are."
Sam Aston
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ITV)Coronation Street cast member Sam Aston, 31, said that "everyone" knows him as his character Chesney Brown so it will be "nice to do something as Sam". He added that he feels that it is "important" to do things in life that "scare you".
The actor acknowledged that he's "never done anything" like DOI before but some of his co-stars who have done the show "only have positive things to say" about it. Sam described taking part in the new series as "exciting".
He said that he feels "lucky" to be given the opportunity to "learn an amazing new skill". Sam said that he has "no skating experience whatsoever" apart from taking his kids, before adding that he has no dancing either either.
Discussing the reception to him being in the line-up, Sam said: "Everyone I've told is buzzing, they all can't believe I'm actually doing it." He said that the experience is "out of the ordinary" for him but a "massive show" so his loved ones are "excited".
Josh Jones
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ITV)Stand-up comedian Josh Jones, 32, said that he was put forward for the new series of DOI by his agent, adding: "When he said you're doing it, I was like ok, let's go." He added that he's "excited" after having got his "head around it".
Josh teased that he looking forward to his grandparents being able to watch the show, as it's not him on a panel show "being inappropriate". He added that he's also hoping to lose a stone through the "physical challenge" of it.
Asked if he has any skating experience, the contestant said "absolutely not," before recalling that he skated once on a date years ago. Josh said that he "wasn't very good" and that his dancing "isn't great" either, adding that he doesn't have any rhythm and "can't even clap on beat".
He teased that his family and friends want to be in the audience, adding that they all think he will "make an absolute fool" of himself. Josh said that they were "shocked" when they heard of his involvement as he's "very clumsy".
Chris Taylor
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ITV)Love Island star Chris Taylor, 34, has teased that he wanted to try a project that's the "polar opposite of dating," after having "very little success" on romance-based shows. He added that he's a "bit of showman" so is looking forward to performing and honing a skill at the same time. He hopes to end up with "a new talent" and is excited by the opportunity.
Chris shared that he rollerskated "a lot as a kid" but has "less" experience with ice skating itself. He revealed that he's "nervous" about the prospect of getting injured after having once "hurt" his elbows due to skating before.
The reality TV star said that his parents are "buzzing," before adding that his family and friends are "desperate" to be in the audience to watch him live on DOI. Chris said: "I think they’re going to be proud watching me." He expressed hope that some of his former co-stars will get to be there.
Anton Ferdinand
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ITV)Former professional footballer Anton Ferdinand, 39, has described DOI as a "challenge" as part of a "new phase" of his life following his retirement from the sport. He said that show will give him "focus and structure" every day.
He expressed interest in learning a "new skill and sport," adding that he's been told by the physio that it will be "good" for his body. Anton went on to share that he's "excited" to be on a "journey of self discovery" through the show.
The pundit recalled taking his kids skating and trying the activity himself as a child, but assured that his experience is "very limited". He expressed concern about his "posture" but teased ahead of the launch that he's "up for the challenge".
"My family are all buzzing, my daughter is beside herself and excited about the live shows," he commented. Anton said that his whole family wants to watch from the studio audience but teased he may not have "enough tickets".
Sir Steve Redgrave
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ITV)Retired rower Sir Steve Redgrave, 62, said that he's "never" had the opportunity to try DOI in the past because his diary was "always so packed" with his own training. He added that he's skated with his children previously and recalled competing on the Jump "many years ago". He said: "There was short track skating on that, I'd say speed isn't my issue but style will be."
He shared that he's "starting from a very low level" and he may be at a lower level than his co-stars due to his age, adding that he doesn't "bounch as much" as he used to. Steve said that to be able to call himself a skater and do crossovers, both forwards and backwards, "would be an excellent place to get to".
The Olympic gold medalist went on to state that his loved ones are all excited about watching him on the ITV show. He said that they are all "keen to come along" but want tickets for the first show, adding that he doesn't think they are "holding much hope" for him to make it to far in the competition.
Dancing On Ice returns Sunday 12th January at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
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