COUPLE ON MOVING IN TOGETHER LIFE’S SKATE WITH KEVIN
STARS HIT BY SICKNESS
AFTER being dazzled by romance – and their Dancing on Ice outfits – Kevin Kilbane and Brianne Delcourt have stepped up their relationship.
The former footballer and Canadian pro, who got together at pre-show training in October, have revealed they have taken their romance to the next level and are now sharing a flat.
The couple have lifted the lid on their domestic life – with Brianne insisting Kevin is the gaffer around the house, while he says she is in charge at work.
The 43-year-old ex-everton, Wigan and Hull winger added: “I’m certainly not the boss on the ice. Bri holds me up all the time, she controls it.”
Brianne, 38, added: “He takes more control at home. He cooks the meals, does the laundry. He’s more of the boss.”
Kevin, who split from Laura – his wife of 12 years – in 2011, told how falling for Brianne came as a bit of a shock.
The dad-of-two said: “There was a bit of pressure at the start when people were coming to terms with us. It’s just happened naturally. It’s been great.
“We’ve been staying in London together. We’ve been on the ice together, we’ve been off the ice together.
“We’ve had little time apart so it has been intense. I just never expected to fall for my partner. We’re just rolling with it at the moment.”
Brianne, who has a three-year-old daughter, Gracie, added: “Home life is completely separate. We do what we have to do on the ice, then we go home and it’s back to family life.
“We are really happy. Gracie adores Kevin. It’s very comfortable.”
Brianne, who previously dated ice partners Matt Lapinskas, Sam Attwater and Danny Young, will tonight skate to The Clash hit Should I Stay Or Should I Go with Kevin.
The couple were out partying until 3am at the National Television Awards this week.
Hitting the ice the next day was enough to banish their hangovers, but Kevin admitted he is finding the competition tougher each week.
The former Irish international said: “It’s getting harder and harder.
“It’s a lot more technical and intricate and I’m seriously struggling. I’m still enjoying it.”
But Brianne told how she still has faith in Kevin, whose football career spanned 17 years. She said: “He’s upped his game. He’s improving every week. That’s all I can ask.”
While the other celebs complain of injuries and aches and pains after taking part in the ITV show, Kevin said he feels better than ever since hitting the ice.
He added: “I’ve suffered with a bad back for 15 years. It’s really helped.
“I’ve been pain-free for the past three months, since I started.
“That’s down to my posture. I’m delighted.”
And while his football pals have been ribbing him for the sparkly outfits he has to wear each week, Kevin said they should try skating to ease their aches.
He added: “We couldn’t get insured as professional footballers to skate in the first place. A lot of footballers suffer with back problems.
“Skating would help them immensely, it really would.”
Kevin, who retired in 2012, is not keen on endorsing is the obligatory fake tan required for the show, however.
He said: “When I got a spray tan I thought, ‘What am I doing?’ A lot of this is alien to me. I certainly won’t get them done after this.”
Lancashire-born Kevin and Brianne are already looking to the future after Dancing on Ice – and can’t wait to jet off on a romantic break. Kevin said: “We’re desperate for holiday.
“When the show finishes we’re
going away. We need that more than anything.” Brianne added: “I’m looking forward to showing Kevin round Canada. I’ve got a new house out there.”
Kevin said: “We’ve got a long time ahead of us. We’re looking forward to the future.”
Asked if that future could involve wedding bells, he replied coyly: “Who knows? We’ll see.”
A NUMBER of celebrities could miss tonight’s Dancing on Ice after catching a sickness bug.
Blind paralympic runner Libby Clegg, 29, was the first to come down with gastroenteritis – and producers fear it could have been passed to the other stars.
Libby has been ill all week and told to rest by docs.
Fellow hopeful Maura Higgins also said it would take a “miracle” to get her on the rink.
The 29-year-old Love Island star said she felt “absolutely dreadful” and added: “Praying
I’m good for Sunday but might need a miracle.”
Meanwhile, Caprice has pulled out of the show amid fears for her mental health.
The model is said to be upset over “vicious rumours” following her split from pro partner Hamish Gaman, who she accused of “pushing
her too hard”.