Ice to see you, Brian
Some people doubted Gemma Collins would even make it onto the rink for the start of Dancing On Ice – but the TOWIE star has vowed to win the series.
In the first glimpse of rehearsals yesterday, she was shown saying: “I won’t quit, I’m not here to take part, I’m here to take over.
“I wanna do the splits, I wanna do a couple of spins, I want fireworks.
“Torvill and Dean, you’re gonna take a step to the left, cos I am about to win the Bolero cup.”
At the launch on the ice at London’s Natural History Museum, she added: “There’s been tears, there’s been moments when I’ve thought I am not going to be able to do this, but I just love it. I don’t know what has happened but
I am at one with the ice. I love her. When you get on the ice no one can get to you, no one can ring your mobile phone, it is very therapeutic. I am enjoying it.
“I am coming out to Beyonce on show one and I’m gonna make everyone that doubted me eat their words.
“I’m never gonna be Torvill and Dean status, but you never know.”
Gemma was joined on the ice by her professional partner Matt Evers and the 11 other contestants taking part.
The only contestant not at the launch was actor Mark Little who was absent because he is starring in pantomime.
Speaking about the line-up, host Holly Willoughby said: “They all look pretty confident. We’ve had launches of this when they have wobbled round.
“I’m really excited about Gemma. She’s just going to give it some and I
think she’s excited to show everyone what she can do. I think she’s going to surprise a lot of people.”
Phillip Schofield added: “We said when Gemma agreed to do it, ‘You are known as a quitter, so what are the chances of you getting onto the ice?’
“In the early days there might have been a couple of wobbles but at no point has she said she’s not doing it.
She’s fallen in love with the ice, she’s fallen out of love with the ice. Now she’s firmly in love with the ice. I saw her this morning getting made up, she said, ‘Oh my God, I am loving it!’.
Phillip insisted bosses felt no extra pressure after a highly successful series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1. “With Strictly if you fall over it’s not likely that you’re going to get the ends of your fingers cut off.
“There’s been blood, there’s been breaks. It takes a really good
professional partner to make sure all of them skate within their means. It’s bloody dangerous.”
Holly added: “After Christmas it’s dry Jan, everything is a bit grey and cold. Dancing On ice explodes onto your screens, it’s glamorous and fun, it brings colour into your weekend.”
The contestants appeared to have varying degrees of skills on the rink with Love Island’s Wes Nelson and actor Richard Blackwood looking impressive. Singer
Brian Mcfadden admitted: “I have only skated once before at the Christmas market after a few wines.” Corrie star Jane Danson said: “It is scary and it is dangerous.”
Former Strictly dancer James
Jordan said: “I can’t ice skate.” Executive producer Katie Rawcliffe said there were changes this year. She said: “Torvill and Dean will be taking to the ice on a more regular basis. Karen Barber is back at head coach and we are back in Bovington, Dorset on a new and improved set.” ■ Dancing on Ice returns on Virgin Media One on Sunday, January 6 at 6pm.