Dancing On Ice may not have been on our screens since 2014, but 12 celebrities are back in the mix to set our screens alight with some hopefully entertaining, and maybe even, stunning, performances. But who are this year’s contestants?
The boys
Lemar’s big break came on BBC show Fame Academy. He achieved third place in the talent show’s first series before later finding chart success with such tracks as If There’s Any Justice, 50/50, and Dance With U, scoring seven singles in the top 10 and selling more than two million albums. He has also won MOBO and Brit Awards. ITV weather forecaster and presenter Alex Beresford announced his inclusion in the lineup on November 3 after his weather segment broadcast from the Natural History Museum for Good Morning Britain. Admitting that he had wanted to do the show for a long time, he will now get his chance to impress the judges. It was further announced after a Monday night Coronation Street double bill that Antony Cotton would be the show’s 11th contestant. Cotton later posted on social media that he needs to “get his skates in” conceding that he had a lot to do to prepare himself for the show.
The girls
Brooke Vincent was the first name to be announced for the 2018 Dancing On Ice line-up. The soap star revealed the news while on ITV’s This Morning, when she said that she loves a challenge and is impressed by the level of skill required for ice skating. News of British athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton’s inclusion in the line-up was announced during a live Radio 1Xtra interview. After been told in the past that she’d never run again, Perri admitted that she couldn’t wait to show off her dance skills on the ice. Also in the line-up is TV presenter and actress Donna Air. Donna revealed her inclusion during an appearance on the ITV show Loose Women.
A national phenomenon
Dancing on Ice has become something of a national treasure over the years. In fact, dancing shows in general have proved a phenomenon, with both Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing considered compulsory viewing for many UK households. The craze isn’t limited to our TV screens, either. Millions of Brits take up classes every week in a bit to emulate their TV idols, whether jive, salsa, tango, and the numerous other styles being practised up and down the country. We’re even seeing the trend in video games, with Dancing On Ice fans playing the game console version of the show on both Wii and Nintendo. Also embracing the trend are online slot games, with such titles as the Cinderella Ball slot, which both dancing fans can enjoy, while also having the chance to win money, including a jackpot. After all, as the Dancing on Ice contestants would tell you: Winning is everything.
The rest
This year’s remaining contestants are made up of Cheryl Baker, Kim Cetinay, Max Evans, Jake Quickenden, and Stephanie Waring. Monty Panesar was forced to withdraw due to an injury before being replaced by Lemar. Candice Brown has been eliminated.
Ice skating legends Christopher Deana and Jane Torvill have moved away from the coaching rink and are now sat at the judges’ desk, where Jason Gardiner and Ashley Banjo are also ready to judge the contestants. The hosts are the familiar duo of Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield.
Image attribution:
https://pixabay.com/en/skates-figure-skating-drive-sport-2001796/