Celebrities get their skates on for new dancing contest

The actress, who plays Mo Harris in the soap, is one of 15 celebrities set to compete in the new series of ITV1’s Dancing On Ice.

The 66-year-old, who is the oldest contestant this year, said her family thought she was “mad” to take part but she was looking forward to it.

She said: “I can’t wait for all of it – the sparkles, false eyelashes and tans. It’s like being pampered. We’ll be skating out each Sunday looking like we’ve been Tangoed.”

There is no return for controversial judge Jason Gardiner with two new judges – former Olympic champion Katarina Witt and choreographer Louie Spence – joining Robin Cousins on the panel.

Among the other celebrities taking part in the show, hosted by Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley, are Dallas actress Charlene Tilton, 1980s actor Corey Feldman, Sugababe Heidi Range and singer Chesney Hawkes.

The One And Only hitmaker got a shock when he spotted his wife’s friend, the skier Chemmy Alcott.

He said: “Chemmy and I are mates, she’s friends with my wife. Obviously we’re not allowed to say anything, so my first day at the rink I saw Chemmy and I said ‘What are you doing here?’ and she said ‘What are you doing here?’.

“We often banter about who is going to win.

“Chemmy jokes that it’s going to be her but she doesn’t realise the power of the Hawk.”

Also appearing in this series are fitness guru Rosemary Conley, children’s TV presenters Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, actress Jennifer Ellison, TV presenter Andy Akinwolere, Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, founder of freerunning Sebastien Foucan and Coronation Street star Andy Whyment.

New judge Louie Spence has promised to encourage the Dancing On Ice skaters after he took over from acid-tongued Australian Jason Gardiner.

Gardiner caused controversy last year when he was accused of bullying former judge Karen Barber after telling her: “If your opinion still mattered, you’d be on the panel.”

Spence, who found fame on the reality show Pineapple Dance Studios, said: “I’m looking forward to being part of such a challenging and spectacular show and I can’t wait to give my encouragement and critique on the contestants’ dance and performance on the ice.”

Double Olympic champion Katarina Witt said: “I can’t wait to join the Dancing On Ice judging panel.”

Former Olympic and world champion ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean also have coaching roles in the series.