DANCING On Ice has signed former Strictly star Brendan Cole.
The snake-hipped Kiwi, 45, is following in the footsteps of fellow ex-Strictly pro James Jordan, who was crowned series champion in 2019 – six years after leaving the BBC dance show.
A source told the Mail: “Brendan is extremely competitive. He wants to go all the way and win Dancing On Ice.
“Dancing is his profession so he already has a lifetime of experience but he’s a novice when it comes to performing on an ice rink.”
Brendan’s announcement comes hot on the heels of Love Island’s Liberty Poole, rugby star Ben Foden and Gazza’s son Regan joining the show.
Corrie’s Sally Dynevor, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, Paralympian Stef Reid and singer Rachel Stevens are also in the 12 person line-up.
On going from the red hot villa to the ice cold of the rink, Liberty said: “I grew up watching Dancing On Ice and my mum actually used to be a figure skater.
“I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks, no pirouetting or anything so I’m really looking forward to pushing myself and learning as much as I possibly can. Not just skating around the ice but actually dancing on ice. Bring it on!”
Ben, who is no stranger to pushing himself on reality TV having starred in Celebrity X Factor, said: “I used to skate a little when I was a kid. I’d go to ice discos when I was 15, 16, and you’d always see these kids that could do pirouettes that had a proper dancing background.
“I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill. I’m quite competitive as well so I like the challenge of competing against others doing something that I’m not necessarily good at!”
Singer and dancer Regan, who is the son of legendary footballer Paul Gascoigne, is realising a dream on the show.
He said: “Obviously I dance and love dancing but it’s the skill of this. I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!”
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Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips is set to replace John Barrowman on the panel after the TV star was axed following historic accusations of flashing.
The dance legend, 78, is in advanced talks about returning to prime-time TV for the first time since the BBC axed her from Strictly in 2009.
A TV insider said: “The fact that Arlene is a mature woman with decades of experience in the dance world is seen as a huge asset for Dancing on Ice.
“In contrast to what people see as her harsh treatment by Strictly, ITV bosses see her seniority as a brilliant way to create a diverse panel of experts on the show.
“It means the DOI judges are now made of two men and two women spanning an extensive age range.”
