As Dancing On Ice returns, hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby tell us what we can expect from the celebs on skates in the new series
IT’S ONE of the more dangerous celebrity reality TV shows, so who will glide and who will slide in Dancing On Ice this year? The skating show returned in 2018 after a four-year hiatus with Olympic champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean moving onto the judging panel, alongside Jason Gardiner and Ashley Banjo.
Celebrities taking to the rink this year are: Corrie star Jane Danson; former Neighbours actor Mark Little; ex-EastEnder Richard Blackwood; Grease legend Didi Conn; Towie’s Gemma Collins; former Strictly pro James Jordan; former Westlife singer Brian McFadden; Loose Women presenter Saira Khan; Pussycat Dolls’ Melody Thornton; former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, Love Island’s Wes Nelson and 2016 X Factor finalist, Saara Aalto.
Here hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby reveal their ones to watch: Looking at this year’s line-up, is there anyone you’re intrigued to see? PHIL: I think the nation is intrigued to see Gemma! Now we know who she is partnered up with and Matt will be absolutely brilliant with her.
I’ve said it to Gemma, “if you make the first show it’ll be a miracle” and she does seem very committed. We all know Gemma for being a bit of a quitter so I’m hoping she’ll be there for that first show.
HOLLY: 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. The series marked the start of your presenting double act. Does it make you feel sentimental about doing it? PHIL: I suppose it is really. It’s funny because we were both nervous for very different reasons when we started Dancing on Ice. Holly was nervous because it was her first big night-
There are many dance shows and ...singing shows around the world, but this is the only show that can truly draw blood... It’s dangerous...
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time show… and it was a monster. I was nervous because no one had any idea whether there was an appetite for it, until we got the figures the next day.
None of us could believe how many people had watched it. We didn’t know we had a hit on our hands.
HOLLY: Yes it really does, for that reason alone I think it’s a very special show for both of us. We really got to know each other on the show.
It’s also a lovely show because it’s just after Christmas and January is like a really cold, dull month and it just suddenly explodes with sequins, glitter and magic onto your TV screen. Torvill and Dean moved to the panel last year, how would you describe the current dynamic of the judges?
PHIL: For me, it’s the best it has ever been. I thought where we were last series with our judges was absolutely perfect. Jayne and Chris on the judging panel were brilliant because who knows more than them? Both of them are so close to the show anyway and knew what was required.
Jason is fabulously caustic as always. I love the fact that you never quite know what he is going to say and Ashley, was a revelation as a Dancing on Ice judge because you have to have
people whose strengths are choreography and dance.
So, you’ve got such a strong end of the judging panel with Jayne and Chris on skating and equally as strong on choreography at the other end with Ashley and Jason. For me, it was my favourite panel. Looking back on your memories of the show, which routine stands out and took your breath away?
PHIL: Wow… Torvill and Dean have done routines that have taken my breath away. In fact, most of their routines have taken my breath away. Eventually you get to know Jayne and Chris and everyone as mates, so although they’re spectacular, you get used to being around them.
In those first few weeks when Jayne and Chris danced, that was breathtaking. You think “I haven’t had to either pay or get tickets and here I am watching this!”
HOLLY: I remember Suzanne Shaw flew in the final, the year that she won, and she wore this yellow dress and she was like Tinker Bell. I just burst into tears, she was like a flying fairy. She was just so beautiful. Holly, Your clothes get quite a lot of attention, what would you say is the difference between your This Morning wardrobe and then your Dancing on Ice style? HOLLY: Oh my god… sequins! The glitter, the sequins and the hem length I guess. It’s lovely on Dancing on Ice to be able to wear a big frock and something you never get to wear in real life. It’s like being a princess and going to the ball every
Sunday night. How would you describe the show to someone who had never seen it before? PHIL: I would say that there are many dance shows and many singing shows around the world, but this is the only show that can truly draw blood! It’s dangerous, celebrities and their pros learning to skate on ice over a limited period of time. The pros desperately want to do well and the celebrities always find it harder than they think it’s going to be and there is real peril. It is dangerous and I do think it is the hardest of all the reality shows. ■ Dancing On Ice returns to ITV, tomorrow at 6pm