Who are 2019’s Dancing On Ice contestants?
Twelve celebrities will take part in this year’s competition on ITV.
A new crop of 12 celebrities will be taking to the ice hoping to skate to glory as ITV’s Dancing On Ice returns.
During the first episode on Sunday, only six celebrities will skate.
Here is a rundown of this year’s celebrities taking part:
1. Gemma Collins
The Only Way Is Essex cast member is no stranger to reality TV, having walked out of the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle after just three days due to hunger and worrying she might have malaria.
A teaser video released in the run-up to the series starting showed Collins expressing her dissatisfaction to news her first entrance on the ice would be to a Vengaboys song.
After hearing the first few beats, she quipped: “I’m not coming out to that”, adding: “Are you joking? I’m leaving the show”.
She will skate with Matt Evers to Beyonce’s Crazy In Love (featuring Jay-Z).
2. Didi Conn
The Grease star – best known for her role as Frenchy in the hit film – has said she is taking part in Dancing On Ice to find out who she is – apart from being a mother.
“I have a son who is special needs and he is now living on a farm and working there and this has given me a time in my life to find out who is Didi-Didi, not Didi-mommy, you know?” she said.
“So this is a great way to just, not dive in, slide into this new part of my life.”
She will be skating with Lukasz Rozycki.
3. Brian McFadden
The ex-Westlife star has quipped that he could be “a one-man Torvill and Dean” on the ITV show.
“I’m excited. I’ve already been practising out in the back garden on my roller blades and my mammy says I’m a one-man Torvill and Dean,” he told ITV show Lorraine.
He will be partnered with Alex Murphy.
4. James Jordan
Jordan made his name as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing.
He was not afraid to speak his mind on the BBC One show, creating a few clashes with judge Craig Revel Horwood, before he left in 2013.
Jordan, who is married to ex-Strictly dancer Ola, previously took part in Celebrity Big Brother.
He will be skating with Alexandra Schauman.
5. Jane Danson
Danson is famous for her role as Leanne Battersby in Corrie, who she first played in 1997.
The mother-of-two said Dancing On Ice was an “absolute personal challenge”.
“If I say no to this, I’m going to watch it and think ‘that could have been me’, and I think I’d be a bit upset with myself,” she said.
She will be skating with Sylvain Longchambon.
6. Mark Little
The Aussie soap star and comedian shot to fame as Joe Mangel in Neighbours, as well as fronting The Big Breakfast and touring his own comedy shows.
“My biggest fear, honestly, is the safety of my partner,” he has said of Dancing On Ice.
He will be skating with Brianne Delcourt.
7. Melody Thornton
The US singer is best known as a former Pussycat Doll.
She found fame in the singing and dancing ensemble along with the likes of Nicole Scherzinger and Ashley Roberts.
Thornton has also appeared in Celebs Go Dating and released solo songs.
She will partner up with Alexander Demetriou.
8. Richard Blackwood
The former EastEnders star, 46, played Vincent Hubbard on Albert Square.
He says he is ready to compete with younger celebrities.
“I want to go out there and if I am going up against people that are half my age, I want to be able to give them a run for their money. I think it’s just another level of showing myself that age is nothing but a number,” he said.
He will skate with Carlotta Edwards.
9. Ryan Sidebottom
The former England international cricketer says he is “excited” about taking part in the show.
He played for England, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire during his career.
“Being a sportsman, I love a challenge and when I got told I was going to be on Dancing On Ice, I jumped for joy!” he said.
He will skate with Brandee Malto.
10. Saira Khan
Loose Women star Khan had her doubts silenced over taking part in Dancing On Ice by her 10-year-old son.
He told her: “Why not just take a positive attitude and give it a go? Why don’t you do it for us?” she revealed to Hello! magazine.
Khan was runner-up in the first series of The Apprentice in 2005.
She will skate with Mark Hanretty.
11. Saara Aalto
Former X Factor star Aalto has struggled to sleep in recent weeks over fears of performing lifts on Dancing On Ice.
The Finnish singer represented her home country at the Eurovision Song Contest this year.
She will skate with Hamish Gaman.
12. Wes Nelson
Nelson took part in Love Island last year, with his now-girlfriend Megan Barton Hanson.
“Gemma Collins is going to wipe the floor with me, I’m super intimidated,” he has said of Dancing On Ice.
He will skate with Vanessa Bauer.
– Dancing On Ice returns to ITV at 6pm.
