Dancing On Ice full line-up revealed: Amber Davies, Adele Roberts and Hannah Spearritt lead stars as two soap actors complete the cast
The full line-up for the new series of Dancing On Ice has been confirmed as the final two names have been revealed.
Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi are the final celebrities joining the show.
They are joining the likes of Love Island’s Amber Davies, S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt and TV and radio presenter Adele Roberts.
Appearing on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Friday, Roxy admitted she is ‘so nervous’ to take to the ice for the first time.
The actress also told how Ryan ‘has had two lessons’ already, with him joking that the competition ‘has started already’.
New name: Ryan Thomas has signed up for the new series of Dancing On Ice
Contender: Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi has also thought to have signed up
A source told The Sun producers are always eager to sign up soap stars and so targeted Roxy, who plays Leyla Harding, this year.
They said: ‘ITV always want their big soap stars on Dancing On Ice, and Roxy is who they are after from Emmerdale this year.
‘She’s the perfect choice – she’s been in the soap on and off for 15 years, so she is very familiar to audiences who already have a connection with her, and she’s absolutely stunning to boot, which always helps.’
The source added that Ryan, who previously won Celebrity Big Brother, has a ‘big personality’ and will make for ‘cracking reality TV’.
It comes after former radio presenter Adele Roberts was announced as the tenth Dancing On Ice contestant.
The former BBC Radio 1 presenter, 44, is getting ready to get her skates on for the hit ITV contest after her battle with bowel cancer.
Adele confirmed that she had been given the all-clear by doctors in June 2022, eight months after she first went public with her bowel cancer diagnosis.
Speaking on Lorraine, she said: ‘Two years ago today I’d just been diagnosed with bowel cancer. I didn’t know what stage cancer I had at the time. I didn’t know if I was going to live or die.
Star: A source said producers are always eager to sign up soap stars and so targeted Roxy, who plays Leyla Harding on Emmerdale, this year (pictured in September 2023)
Exciting! It comes after former radio presenter Adele Roberts was announced as the tenth Dancing On Ice contestant
New opportunity: The former Big Brother star, 44, is preparing for the hit ITV contest after her battle with bowel cancer (pictured in hospital in January)
‘To think, two years on I’m sat here with you [Lorraine Kelly] talking about Dancing on Ice – it’s the greatest feeling in the world.’
Asked if she is the first person to compete on Dancing on Ice with a stoma, she said: ‘I think I am. Audrey is a diva. She is very excited to see you today, so she’s already been problematic.
‘I’ve not seen her on ice yet, but we’re going to find out.
‘All I want to say, Audrey, is, I only want to dance on the ice, I don’t want to be doing anything else on the ice. So stay inside please.’
Adele admitted Dancing on Ice is going to be a ‘big challenge’, but she can’t wait ‘for the glam’ on the show.
She added: ‘It’s ”bricking it on ice” for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away.
‘I did radio as it’s not visual. That’s going to be a big challenge. After cancer I have my life back; I actually can’t wait for the glam!
‘I feel like I’m getting my life back together and I’m just excited for the future. Go on adventures, live my best life.’
The day before, EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood became the ninth celebrity confirmed to be taking part.
Cancer: Adele confirmed that she had been given the all-clear by doctors in June 2022 and uses her social media platform to try and break the stigma around having a stoma
Revealing the news exclusively on Loose Women on Wednesday, Ricky, 40, best known for playing Fatboy Chubb on the BBC soap, said: ‘I’m very excited, very scared. Very scared!
‘But very excited. It’s come at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I’ve just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body. It was something that scared me and it’s a massive challenge.
‘Being on the ice! I’m apprehensive about the lifts, especially the headbanger. I’ve got to trust in the process, trust in the training, trust in the trainers.’
He added: ‘I think we all grow when we do something that really scares us. Once you jump into it and throw away into the fear, then you can get into it and learn something.
‘When I leave this show, this is going to be with me forever. Rehearsals start for me on October 12. It will be very intense.’
Ricky played Fatboy from 2010 until 2015 on BBC soap EastEnders but his character was murdered on the show eight years ago.
But in a twist of fate, last month, Fatboy made a surprise return in flashback scenes from 2014.
Fatboy died in grisly circumstances in the Christmas 2015 storyline, with the character getting killed in a car in a case of mistaken identity.
He died off-screen after Ronnie Mitchell arranged for her enemy Vincent Hubbard to be sent to the car crusher, but Fatboy was accidentally trapped in the car boot and killed instead.
In August, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) came face-to-face with her ex George Knight (Colin Salom).
Fatboy’s back! EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood became the ninth star confirmed for the 2024 lineup on Wednesday
Blast from the past: Fatboy made a surprise return in flashback scenes from 2014 in EastEnders last month
Cindy finally told George the truth and viewers were treated to flashback scenes set in Marbella in Spain in 2014.
The day before, comedian Lou Sanders became the eighth celebrity revealed to be joining the lineup.
The writer and comedian, 37, was the latest star unveiled during an appearance on Nihal Arthanayake’s show on BBC Radio Five Live.
Lou, who has appeared on a slew of series including Russell Howard’s Good News, Live At The Apollo and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, joins recently-announced stars Stephen Lustig-Webb and Miles Nazaire in this year’s lineup.
She said: ‘I’m nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.
‘I’m also worried about my partner picking me up, he’s going to have to be very strong and very brave.’
It comes after Stephen Lustig-Webb was confirmed as the seventh celebrity joining the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice, after he revealed last month that he was leaving Gogglebox after 10 years on the Channel 4 show.
Speaking on Lorraine, he said: ‘The last time I was on the ice I think I was 14 (years old) so almost 40 years ago.
Hitting the ice! Revealing the news exclusively on Loose Women on Wednesday, Ricky said: ‘I’m very excited, very scared. Very scared’
Scared: ‘I’m apprehensive about the lifts, especially the headbanger. I’ve got to trust in the process, trust in the training, trust in the trainers,’ he added
Funny star: The day before, Comedian Lou Sanders is the eighth celebrity revealed to be joining the show
‘I have been back on the ice since just for a quick spin around, I didn’t fall over so that was a good thing! I’ve got a new appreciation for skating.’
Stephen added: ‘I can see how truly difficult it is. From the comfort of my sofa I was probably a little too judgy, I didn’t realise how hard it is!’
It comes after Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire was the the sixth celebrity contestant to confirm he will be taking part in the skating competition when it airs next year.
Announcing the news on social media on Tuesday, Miles said: ‘I’ve always loved to dance but it’s usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.
‘I keep thinking about how I’m going to need to have rhythm while balancing on a thin blade and that’s when I feel the nerves kick in, but this is such an unbelievable opportunity to get totally out of my comfort zone.’
Miles has been part of the MIC cast for the five years after joining in 2018 but recently admitted he was ready to quit after meeting girlfriend Amélie Esqeuenet.
Revealed! It comes after Stephen Lustig-Webb was confirmed as the seventh celebrity taking part in the 2024 series
Departure: It comes after Stephen confirmed last month that he was leaving Gogglebox after 10 years on the Channel 4 show (pictured on the show with his husband Daniel)
Confirmed! Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire was the the sixth celebrity contestant to confirm he will be taking part in the skating competition
Acceptance? Miles previously hinted his time on Made In Chelsea could be ‘done’ as he admits he’s not bothered about having much screen time on the show (pictured on the show)
When he isn’t filming for the show, Mils works as an influencer and also has his own podcast with his friend Charlie Radnedge, of Love Island fame.
Olympic champion Greg Rutherford MBE was the fifth celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the new series earlier this week.
The retired British long jump star, 36, revealed the news on Monday’s Good Morning Britain as he revealed he’d signed up to entertain his children, Milo, eight, and Rex, five, and Daphne, two.
Greg and Miles join the previously announced World Champion Boxer Ricky Hatton MBE, actress Claire Sweeney, actress and singer Hannah Spearritt and West End star Amber Davies.
He said on GMB: ‘My kids love dancing around so hopefully they are going to enjoy watching me dance with blades on my feet! I think this is going to be a really different experience but one that will be quite exciting.
‘I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that’s never been done before, that’s my aim. I’ll go 100,000 percent on this. I’ll try hard, I’m in no way expecting to be good but I will work as hard as I can.’
The latest role comes seven years after the retired track and field athlete appeared on Strictly.
He showed off his rhythm while partnered with Natalie Lowe and made it to week nine of the competition.
It also follows a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the 2022 Winter Olympics following his dreams of joining Britain’s bobsleigh team.
Greg holds an MBE, a gold medal and also won Celebrity MasterChef.
Last week Love Island legend Amber confirmed she’d joined the line-up.
Amber, who won Love Island in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay, made the announcement on Lorraine on Friday.
She said: ‘I would definitely say that I’m an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them, I don’t want the adrenalin to get the better of me.
‘I can count on one hand how many times I’ve ice skated.’
‘When I was younger, my dream is to be on stage so my parents said ‘just in case, you can’t go’… ‘it’s too dangerous’.
‘I’m 27 next week and I was still asking them for permission! I’m going to have an amazing pro, who I don’t know yet.’
And Amber is determined not to play it safe in the competition.
She said: ‘I’d love to do that headbanger in week one if I can!’
‘I will be wearing a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads until the first show.’
Of being offered the chance to join the line-up, the television personality said she was over the moon to be offered.
She said: ‘I was surprised, I was elated when I got the call for Dancing On Ice, I hadn’t been on telly for so long and I thought that ship had potentially sailed.
‘When I spoke to the producers and said ‘why me?’ and they said ‘because you’re doing so well in your industry’. I really did feel like my hard work is paying off.’
New signing: Olympic Champion and Presenter Greg Rutherford MBE was the fifth celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the new series of Dancing on Ice
He’s a winner! Greg won a gold medal in the long jump at the 2012 Olympics (pictured celebrating with Mo Farah)
Since her stint in Love Island, Amber has reestablished herself as a West End star.
She will be juggling Pretty Woman and Dancing On Ice at the same time.
She said: ‘I’m doing Pretty Woman and Dancing On Ice basically at the same time… eight shows a week.
‘I’d been gunning for the role for so long, it came to the West End in 2019 and I’d gone in for it, but I was just so young Lorraine. Now I’m older and wiser, I never could have played that role at 22.’
Amber’s ex Kem has also starred in Dancing On Ice. He finished in fourth place with his partner Alex Murphy.
Amber’s announcement comes after S Club star Hannah, 42 , revealed she was taking part on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain.
She said: ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill.
‘It’s so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing. Fitness is another reason why I’m doing it! It’s really exciting.’
Exciting: Love Island legend Amber Davies was the third the latest contestant to sign up for Dancing On Ice ahead of its return in January 2024
Hannah’s decision to sing up comes after she unexpectedly left S Club in May, following the shocking death of her former boyfriend and bandmate Paul Cattermole.
The remaining members of the group – Rachel Stevens, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and Tina Barrett – decided to rename S Club 7 as merely S Club and continue as a five-piece.
Speaking in a video posted on Instagram, Jon said: ‘You’ve probably noticed that there’s only five of us here today, and although Hannah will always be part of S Club 7, she won’t be joining us on this tour. We wish her all the best for the future.’
It has been reported that Hannah and the other members of the group are no longer on speaking terms amid insider claims that she was left feeling ‘betrayed’ by a row over contracts for the band’s upcoming tour.
Hannah was reportedly unaware she was not being included on the tour until the post and had been about to sign her contract before being ‘blindsided’ by the launch.
It is thought that Hannah has now signed a contract. But sources close to the star say that she felt ‘betrayed’ after being snubbed from the tour and they fear that the ‘bad blood’ between her and the group means there is ‘little to no chance’ of her making an appearance, according to The Sun.
The source added: ‘Hannah is devastated. She was pushed out, and doesn’t understand why. The rest of S Club has been told not to contact her.’
The insider claims that Hannah ‘very much wanted to be part of the tour’ but had ‘pushed back on a few details’ prior to signing her contract while the other band members ‘said yes to everything’ and signed immediately.
They add that she was then ‘binned’ after a series of disagreements with S Club creator Simon Fuller and that the rest of the band are now ‘not even speaking to her’.
Representatives for S Club have confirmed that Hannah has not spoken to the rest of the band.
Reach for the skates! S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt was announced as the third star taking part last week
On screen: Hannah revealed the news on Thursday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, saying ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill’
Hannah’s addition to the Dancing On Ice lineup comes after Claire announced she’d signed up on Wednesday’s This Morning, saying: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to an ice rink with my son and actually being able to skate and not have to use the penguins they give you to help you stay upright!’
She added: ‘I’ve had to wear my boots around the house… I haven’t stepped on the ice yet.
‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I will feel. But I am very excited.’
Claire added: ‘I’m nervous and excited about doing it.’
When quizzed on her previous dance experience by Holly Willoughby and her co-host Ben Shephard, she said: ‘How does dancing prepare you for skating? It’s totally different.
‘It’s more about the mind and conquering the fear. You can make nice shapes with your arms and stuff like that but it’s about getting over the fear.’
The actress is best known as Lindsay Corkhill 90s soap Brookside before joining Corrie earlier this year in the role of Cassie Plumber.
A source previously told The Sun: ‘Claire is going to be the first big name to be unveiled for Dancing On Ice’.
‘She is a really talented performer and is pretty decent on the ice already.’
No stranger to the spotlight Claire has previously sung and dance in string of musicals including Guys and Dolls and Legally Blonde.
It comes after Ricky, 44, revealed on This Morning: ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink. I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!’
The name of the first contestant had been teased throughout the show by hosts Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard.
Ricky’s silhouette could be seen and a number of clues including boxing gloves were used to hint at his identity.
Exciting: Soap star Claire Sweeney was the second celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the next series of Dancing On Ice
Revealing the news on Wednesday’s This Morning, Claire, 52, said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to an ice rink with my son and actually being able to skate and not have to use the penguins they give you to help you stay upright!’
First Dancing On Ice star revealed: Sporting legend Ricky Hatton was confirmed to be taking part in the new series of the talent show on Tuesday
The sporting icon admitted his daughters are finding his latest signing ‘absolutlely hilarious’ but he said that he believes the show will be good for his well-being.
He said: ‘It was well documented that I struggled when I retired from boxing amongst a few other things and I’m trying to do my bit for mental health… I’ve never been shy to discuss it.’
‘When I retired I was sat there with nothing to do and my world fell apart a little bit. It’s all about keeping busy and doing things that are positive and new adventures!’
He also said: ‘I can dance on the solid floor but I don’t know how I’ll do on the dance floor. It’s more about being disciplined and about believing in yourself.
‘New adventures don’t come more than Dancing On Ice. It is a challenge and with boxing. it is a balance.
‘You remember dance sequencing and moves and in boxing, you do a little bit, remembering combinations and stuff like that. I should have the attributes to do pretty well.’
Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, 52, was reportedly set to join the line-up ‘in a bombshell move’.
He announced he was leaving the Channel 4 ‘s show earlier this month in a bid to p ursue ‘other opportunities’.
And according to The Sun it turned out the Brighton hair salon owner has traded ‘his sofa for skates’, as a source admitted several Gogglebox stars ‘face a dilemma at some point’ as they receive various offers after developing a higher profile.
The telly source told the publication: ‘Stephen had very much developed his own profile. It wasn’t a surprise he received other offers, though no one would have necessarily guessed he’d be doing Dancing On Ice.’
Stephen has been on the Channel 4’s show for a decade and was one of the most prominent stars – but he told fans earlier this month: ‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox.
‘We feel the time is right to move on and explore other opportunities.’
Shona McGarty has also been rumoured to be taking part, after she quit her role on EastEnders after 15 years.
The actress, 31, who played Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, quit her role in July after a reported cast shake up.
Former partnership: Holly Willoughby is set to return as host for the show, after after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the programme (pictured in January this year)
Holly Willoughby is set to return as host for the show, after after her former co-star Phillip Schofield was axed from the programme.
Phillip, 61, presented the series alongside Holly, 42, for 12 series, before and after its four-year hiatus, before he was axed from his ITV shows this year after he had an affair with a junior This Morning colleague.
Stephen Mulhern is reportedly being lined up to replace Phillip, and is said to have been offered the show and is thinking it over, according to the Mirror .
The Catchphrase star, 46, has already had a taste of hosting the figure skating competition after he was brought in to replace Phillip when he was struck down with Covid last February.
It was claimed Vernon Kay was also being considered for the role while Holly is also close to Bradley Walsh , while Jordan Banjo could be another option.
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We will be confirming details about Dancing on Ice 2024 in due course.’
Dancing on Ice returns to ITV and ITVX in 2024 with a new cast.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 CONTESTANTS
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former pro boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink’
HANNAH SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that’s never been done before, that’s my aim.’
STEPHEN LUSTIG-WEBB
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: Gogglebox star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve got a new appreciation for skating. I can see how truly difficult it is. From the comfort of my sofa I was probably a little too judgy, I didn’t realise how hard it is!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘It’s come at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I’ve just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I will feel. But I am very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I would definitely say that I’m an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them’
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance but it’s usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
LOU SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ”bricking it on ice” for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away’
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