The Scotsman

Steps singer dances into TV history

- By KEIRAN SOUTHERN

Dancing On Ice is set to beat rival Strictly in having a samesex couple on the show.

Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins will be teamed up with profession­al dancer Matt Evers on the forthcomin­g series of Dancing On Ice.

It is understood that Watkins asked about the possibilit­y of being paired with a male profession­al and the production team on the ITV show was “fully supportive”.

It comes after years of speculatio­n that same-sex couples would feature on a TV dance competitio­n.thebbchadp­reviously said it was “completely open” to having them on Strictly Come Dancing.

Watkins,43,willbejoin­edon the 2020 version of Dancing On Ice by celebritie­s including businesswo­man Caprice Bourret, TV presenter Trisha Goddard, magician Ben Hanlin, former Republic of Ireland, Everton, Sunderland and Wigan footballer Kevin Kilbane and newsreader Lucrezia Millarini.

Love Island star Maura Higgins, Michael Barrymore and Joe Swash will also compete, with soap actress Lisa George, Scottish Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and Diversity star Perri Kiely also taking part.

The 2020 judging panel of Jayne Torvill, Christophe­r Dean and Ashley Banjo also sees new judge John Barrowman making his debut.

He joins following the departure of Jason Gardiner.

The series will once again be fronted by TV duo Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Former Strictly Come Dancing profession­al James Jordan was crowned the winner of this year’s series.

 ??  ?? 0 Ian ‘H’ Watkins asked for a male partner in Dancing on Ice
0 Ian ‘H’ Watkins asked for a male partner in Dancing on Ice

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