SKATES BACK AFTER CANCER I was ashamed I’d been wed three times but now I may marry again
they’ve grown to be.” Trisha was the first black woman to front a British chat show, rising to fame in 1998 with ITV’s Trisha.
The show switched to Channel 5 in 2004. She moved to the US when it was axed in 2009.
Nervous but excited to be back on primetime UK TV, she admits that what worries her most is remembering the routines – despite the coaching from judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
She said: “I’ve got chemo brain, which really affects my memory, and menopause on top of that.
“Skating really helps. I used to get frustrated.
“This is really helping as the brain responds to exercise. If I can remember my whole dance routine you’ll see me get very emotional.
“I can still remember guests from years ago, but short-term memory isn’t great.
“I hated the fact I lost my memory, I got angry as it was my living for so long.”
She has bonded well with her fellow celebs – but has already developed a reputation for straight-talking backstage.
She said: “I like my own space. When they all start talking about how scared they are, I remove myself from the group, get my skipping rope out and skip.
“They think I’m mad. If they talk about fear or how much pain they’re in, then I don’t want to hear it.
“I didn’t join support groups when I had my cancer treatment. I didn’t want to sit around playing ‘my chemo side effects are worse than yours’. I want to be out in the fresh air, or skipping.”
So what’s next for Trisha after Dancing on Ice? Marriage number four?
“I could get married again. A part of me allowed other people to make me feel ashamed about the amount of times I was married.
“When it’s a guy, especially a white middle-aged rocker, they can have children and wives all over the shop. It’s like a badge of honour. I live in the moment.
“My girls have met him, they get on perfectly well. They were very hurt during my divorce – he was there since they were babies. I’d never shove anyone down their face.”
And will her mystery man be supporting Tricia while she is on the ice?
“He might be there,” she smiles. “But he’ll have to come dressed up!” janine.yaqoob@
mirror.co.uk