Wes says it’s been great breaking Ice with pal Brian
Megan and Wes LOVE Island’s Wes Nelson said he plans to spend more time in Ireland with his new best friend Brian Mcfadden when Dancing On Ice ends.
The 20-year-old will be skating against the former Westlife star tomorrow when the boys make their debut on the programme.
However, while they may be competing as rivals for the next few weeks, Wes revealed the pair have become close behind the scenes.
The former nuclear engineer, who found fame on the popular TV show last summer, said: “Yeah, Brian’s in the changing rooms next to me, he’s a ledge, we have great craic.
“He’s a lovely down-toearth man.”
And after weeks of gruelling training and preparation together, Wes said he plans to spend some downtime with the Dubliner when the show finishes.
GRUELLING
He said: “Yeah, definitely, Brian’s already said he wants to show me the ropes.”
Wes is also looking forward to the show, adding: “There has been a lot going into it physically and mentally so hopefully I can transfer it on to the ice.”
Meanwhile, his girlfriend and fellow Love Island star Megan Barton Hanson admitted she has also developed a soft spot for the 38-year-old singer, saying: “We’ve been to one of his gigs, he’s so fun, he’s so down-to-earth.”
The model has faced an onslaught of online bullying since her appearance on Love Island and added she has no fears of her relationship being struck by any Strictly-style “curse”.
She said: “People on social media and stuff they are always looking for negativity and we’ve had so many messages since Wes has been on Dancing On Ice, like if anything happened, or the curse thing.
“The more time we’ve spent out of the villa and got used to work and stuff, we’ve just got stronger.”
ON JUDGES FAILING TO SPOT ONE-SKATE TURN
Olivier award that year for his one-man show Defending the Caveman.
He said: “So, you know, Russ, anyone can get an Academy Award but not many can get an Olivier. There are places I’d like to put my award and I’ve got a couple of suggestions for Jason.”
The West End show was directed by wife Cath Farr. They live in London and have sons Angus, 37, and Jasper, 32.
With decades in the industry, he has felt miffed about being best known as Joe Mangel. Mark said: “I used to hate it about 10 years ago. I’m over it now. “If you become a legend, you have to live with it. Like Dr Frankenstein, I had to learn to love the character I created.” In 1994 he began standing in for Chris Evans on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, then replaced him.
Zoe Ball joined as co-host two years later. Rumours swirled of a rift. But Mark said: “Zoe and I did get on. She was thrown into a job Mark as Joe Mangel that was harder than she in Aussie soap Neighbours
realised. So she was left floundering, I was left floundering.
“It was made out to be a personal spat, which it wasn’t.
“She’s got a new radio show. Maybe I could go on there if I get through the skate-off ?”
He is desperate to survive it. Referring to Torvill and Dean’s 1984 Winter Olympics win, he said: “I’ve pinched a few moves from Christopher Dean’s Sarajevo event, so I hope he notices.
“I have no grand illusions of winning this competition. But I will be absolutely gutted if I come last.”
■ Dancing on Ice, Virgin Media One, 6pm tomorrow. MARK Little is demanding a sexier outfit to show off his two-stone weight loss and spare him the boot from Dancing on Ice tomorrow.
The actor and comedian, 59, reckons his baggy costume last Sunday landed him in the skate-off as it did not highlight his trimmer physique.
Mark, who made a name for himself here in Australian soap Neighbours, joked: “They started me off in a floppy denim shirt, for goodness sake. Where’s my velvet? Satin? Diamante?
“So I told them, ‘I’ve lost over two stone since I started training. I’ve got this new body, help me show it off’. I have some form, even though I’m an old fella.
“A shirt slashed to the navel? Yes, come on. As an Aussie, I could have skated in my budgie smugglers.”
Mark, partnered with pro-skater Brianne Delcourt, plans to grab the attention of judges Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and fellow Australian Jason Gardiner.
Referring to the moves he has learned, he said: “Last week I turned on one skate but the judges missed it.
“So I might do my next three-turn on Jason’s forehead so he doesn’t miss it.”
Jason savaged Mark’s performance last week. He hit back: “Jason plays the pantomime baddie. So in true panto style, I might push him off his chair.”
Mark was an established actor by the time he won cult status in the UK as Joe Mangel, from 1988 to 1991.
Fellow Neighbours graduate Russell Crowe went on to win an Academy Award for his role in the 2000 film Gladiator though Mark got a Laurence
I’ll do my three-turn on Jason’s forehead so he doesn’t miss it
MARK