First look at new Dancing on Ice contestants practising in secret

Oct 16 2011 by Thomas Carlin, The People

HERE is your first peek ­inside the rink of secrecy as the new Dancing on Ice hopefuls take shakily to their skates.

Coached by Torvill and Dean, the celebrity contestants have been ­training hard behind closed doors.

The People can reveal the ­stars battling to become ice kings and queens come from pop, sport, ­acting, slimming, clothes design ­and children’s TV presenting.

At first the roll call reads like a battle of the soaps.

Coronation Street is represented by ANDY WHYMENT, 30, who plays Kirk Sutherland. He is pictured deep in concentration as he ­practises, hanging on to legend Christopher Dean’s every word. From EastEnders there is tough mum Mo Harris – actress LAILA MORSE, 66. She has to hold her arms out wide as if flying in an effort to keep from falling over.

Emmerdale’s David Metcalfe, alias MATTHEW WOLFENDEN, 31, arrived in a Hallowe’en mask but let it slip later. Former Brookside actress JENNIFER ELLISON, 28, must be a ­favourite as she has ­studied dance from the age of three – and starred as Roxie in Chicago on the London stage. She also looked intent as Christopher, 53, put her through her paces.

Hollyoaks’ sexy JORGIE PORTER, 23, who stars as Theresa McQueen, ­is also set to be competing.

Sugababes singer HEIDI RANGE, 28, must be a good bet after lots of practice dancing in videos and on stage. SADIE FROST, 46, has her own fashion label FrostFrench. A close pal of Kate Moss and ex-wife of Jude Law, Sadie also danced in a music video aged 16.

One-time Spurs goalie IAN WALKER, 39, will be out to prove footballers can be just as nifty on ice as on turf. But fellow sports star CHEMMY ALCOTT, 29, should feel more at home as she is Britain’s No1 alpine ski racer.

Slimming and exercise guru ROSEMARY CONLEY, 64, should at least be in good shape when the ITV1 series begins in January.

While former Blue Peter presenter ANDY AKINWOLERE, 28, has never had skating training but has proved he can rise to great feats.

In June he became the first ­person to swim the five miles across the Palau Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

A source at the Slough, Berks, rink on Friday said: “The ­contestants were trying not to be seen. Emmerdale’s Matthew wore a Hallowe’en mask. They were really focused on their rehearsals.”

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DANCING On Ice is facing a wardrobe crisis - with stars Emma Bunton and Holly Willoughby both pregnant.

Judge Emma, 34, announced she is expecting days after host Holly revealed her news.

Both mums will be heavily pregnant during the show, which starts in January.

And both are due to give birth in May - less than EIGHT weeks after the final in March.

A source said: "It's one thing tracking down designer gowns for one pregnant woman but for two, it's a lot of work."

Holly, married to TV producer Dan Baldwin, announced her news on ITV's This Morning.

Former Spice Girl Emma and partner Jade Jones, 31, told fans through Twitter.

FORMER Corrie star Denise Welch, 52, will appear on the show, it emerged yesterday.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3212717/Dancing-On-Ice-dress-crisis-with-Holly-Willoughby-Emma-Bunton-pregnant.html#ixzz14Rg39ld9

Brigitte Nielsen for Dancing On Ice 2011

ITV bosses have reportedly signed Brigitte Nielsen for their new series of Dancing On Ice 2011.

The Danish actress is best known for her appearances in the 1985 films Red Sonja and Rocky IV and for her marriage to Sylvester Stallone. She appeared in Celebrity Big Brother, alongside Stallone’s mother Jackie in 2005.

An insider told The Sun: “She was great fun on CBB.”

Kerry Katona wants to win Dancing on Ice

Reality TV star Kerry Katona is determined to be a serious contender for next year's Dancing on Ice crown, says a report.

The former I'm A Celebrity star is reportedly working on her skating and dancing skills during her spare time.

Sources close to the reality star told a Sunday newspaper that Katona desperately wants to become the next celebrity ice dance champion.

An insider told the Daily Star Sunday that Kerry's new look haircut was part of her plan to win the show.

The source said: "Kerry knows that how she looks on the ice is really important.

"She's taking the whole thing very seriously."

They added: "She's already started practising her skating and will make sure she looks her best by the time the show starts next year.

"She's hoping that the public will fall in love with her all over again just like when she won I'm A Celeb."

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Brian Moore for Dancing On Ice?

Source: Bang Showbiz

Former rugby player Brian Moore has commenced training to star in 'Dancing On Ice' next year.

The sportsman-turned-commentator is said to have started practicing for ITV's ice skating reality TV series - which will return to screens in January - as show bosses line up the most diverse celebrities to take part in the show yet.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Producers want as many different famous faces to take part in the show as possible."

Former Steps singer Faye Tozer is also said to be in training for the show, as is wine critic Jilly Goolden. Other stars who producers are keen to take part in the show are said to include former pop star Vanilla Ice - best known for his 1990 hit 'Ice Ice Baby' - professional dancer Matthew Cutler and Iraq war veteran Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

It has also previously been reported that Robbie Williams' friend, TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes, and Kerry Katona have been in practicing for the show.

Although some celebrities have already started learning how to skate, ITV says it is still making decisions as to who to include.

The source added: "We haven't confirmed the line up at this early stage."

The format of the 'Dancing On Ice' - which will enter its sixth series next year - will see it undergo a major revamp and the programme will also be recorded at a different studio in Surrey.

Dancing On Ice set for major revamp in bid to boost the ratings

DANCING On Ice is set for a multi-million-pound makeover next year with bosses going all out to sex up the show.

The sixth series will be moved to a huge custom-made ice rink in Buckinghamshire to make it even more spectacular and get a big crowd in for the shows.

Two "bigger and bolder" new ice rinks - a training rink and a studio rink - will be built at Pinewood movie studio, according to an ITV source.

And bosses are lining up an all-star cast, including Coronation Street's Samia Smith, 28, ex-Strictly professional Matt Cutler, 36, and reality star Kerry Katona, 30.

ITV declined to comment on the format changes, with a spokeswoman saying it was "too early to give precise details".

The last series of Dancing On Ice regularly pulled in more than eight million viewers, with nearly nine million tuning in for March's final, when Hayley Tammadon, 33, walked away with the winner's crown.

Jonathan Wilkes and Johnson Beharry are tipped to take part in this year's Dancing On Ice.

According to The Sun, Victoria Cross hero Beharry has been practising with the show's ice dance trainers.

The Lance Corporal, who twice rescued comrades while under fire in Iraq, has apparently been approached to "broaden the appeal" of the reality show.

"Johnson would be an exciting addition and bring a new dimension to the refreshed show," said a source. "The fact he is already highly regarded by the public helps. He is a very determined character.

"He's training despite being in pain from his injuries. If he copes well then he is a cert to appear in the final 12 in January."

TV presenter and actor Wilkes, 31, is also apparently trying out for the show.

Dancing On Ice will return for a sixth series in the New Year on ITV1.

'Dancing On Ice' venue changes confirmed

Thursday, September 2 2010, 16:57 BST
By Alex Fletcher, Reality TV Editor

Details about the new series of Dancing On Ice have been revealed to Digital Spy.

Earlier today, a tabloid report claimed that Jason Gardiner and Emma Bunton will be back for the new series as judges and that the ITV1 reality show will be changing venues.

It has been confirmed that the ice dancing series will be filmed in a new arena, but a show source has claimed that no decision has been made yet over this year's judging panel.

"We've not confirmed that all the judges are back. Once we're ready to confirm the lineup we will do," said the insider.

Dancing On Ice will return for a sixth series in the New Year and for the first time will be filmed in HD at Shepperton Studios, where two new ice rinks - training and studio - are being built. The programme was previously filmed in Elstree, but producers decided to move it elsewhere due to a lack of availability of soundstages.

The source told DS: "It feels right that with the move to HD, and the changes we're making to the show format, that Dancing On Ice has a brand new home for series six.

"Shepperton is a fantastic environment to work in and we're looking forward to adding our own touch of sparkle to their legacy of Hollywood glamour!"

Meanwhile, Torvill & Dean have been confirmed to return as the mentors for the training celebrity novices and their pro partners.

Dancing on Ice chaos as Potter film nabs studios

By COLIN ROBERTSON

Published: Today

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DANCING On Ice has been thrown into chaos - after Harry Potter producers snatched the show's studios.

ITV1 bosses have lost use of the Elstree Studios in Herts where every winter a £1million rink is built for the show.

New film ... Daniel Radcliffe

This year it has been booked for filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two, starring Daniel Radcliffe.

The move has sparked fears that the skating show - won this year by Emmerdale's Hayley Tamaddon and Daniel Whiston - will be put on ice.

An insider said: "This has thrown a spanner in the works.

"We need a massive space for the show. There are only so many studios that can accommodate us and most are booked.

"We've been looking at Pinewood Studios, where they film James Bond, but they are looking pretty booked out. We may need to build our own rink somewhere, which would not be cheap."

The Dancing On Ice studio also has a practice rink so the main rink isn't scratched before the show.

Bosses had expected that room would be created for them by Big Brother finishing.

The Channel 4 show has had a base at the studios for years but will be bulldozed after Ultimate Big Brother finishes.

Jai Ho

This is one of my favourite performances from Dancing On Ice

Tim Westwood 'in training' for Dancing On Ice

DJ Tim Westwood has revealed his plans to get into training after being contacted by Dancing On Ice bosses inviting him on to the next series.

The presenter, who hosts a hip hop show on Radio 1, also claimed show bosses had offered him £60,000 - a full £10,000 more than other contestants are thought to be paid - within hours of him telling fans he was mulling over the offer.

He told his listeners via Twitter he was considering slipping on the skates and sequins to appear on the ITV1 show then asked for their thoughts.

He wrote: "Been offered £50,000 to go on Dancing On Ice - could you see me wearing sequinned outfits! Should I do it?"

He received a huge response, but he was worried about whether the responses urging him to do it were genuine.

He added: "Why is everyone sayin I should do it! I'd have to dance on ice with a woman who looks like a man in drag.

"I need to know - are you saying 'yes' for my benefit or so you can have a cruel cheap laugh at my expense?"

During today's edition of his Radio 1Xtra show he reckoned the fee was creeping up. "I have now been offered £60,000 - they have put it up by ten grand overnight.

"They phoned the office and they said, 'We really want Westwood to go in on the ice'."

He said he had been to a London rink to practice last night but it had already closed so he went bowling, explaining: "I'm in training. I'm eating a lot of protein right now. I'm eating a chicken now. Apparently, I have to eat four chickens a day.

"Anyway," he jokes. "I don't know whether I should try and squeeze them a 100k or if I should hold out for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!"

Do you think Tim Westwood should go on the show?