Dancing On Ice's class of 2024 are hard at training already ahead of the ITV show's January launch – but one star has been spotted struggling at the rink, even having to wear a helmet for safety.
Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards might be best known for his Olympic feats as a ski jumper, but he appears to be having trouble getting used to flat ice as he swaps his skis for skates.
In new pictures from training, Eddie can be seen wearing a helmet and looking a little wobbly as he relies on pro skater partner Tippy Packard for support.
But Eddie, 59, might well have had the right idea by getting his safety gear on first as he is a replacement for Gogglebox's Stephen Lustig-Webb, who was forced to quit the show when he was injured in training.
A Dancing On Ice spokesperson said at the time: "Stephen Lustig-Webb has had to withdraw from the show due to an injury he sustained to his ankle during training.
"He is still very much a part of the Dancing on Ice family, we will be helping to support Stephen and we wish him well with his recovery."
Eddie was drafted in as an emergency replacement – and it had been a long time coming for the former athlete, who told Daily Star how he had been turned down by the show five times just before finally being signed.
He said: "I went for an audition on Dancing On Ice. I’ve done about five auditions for them over the last eight years but I’ve never been picked!
"They’ve got to pick as wide a range of celebrities as they can. One of these days I might do it before I’m too old. It’s just nice to be asked to audition for it, so maybe one of these days."
Meanwhile, ex S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt is looking much more comfortable in her skates as she practiced some flexible moves with partner Andy Buchanan.
She was seen bending backwards into a one-legged crouch on the ice and skating alongside Andy.
Hannah, 42, has 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."
Claire Sweeney was also spotted leaving training looking very happy, and laughing with her partner Colin Grafton who put an arm around her shoulders.
Dancing On Ice's head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were also seen on the ice rink, where they showed off some moves from their Olympic gold medal winning days to demonstrate how it should be done.
Dancing On Ice will return to ITV in the new year, with other contestants including Adele Roberts, Amber Davies and Ryan Thomas.
Source: Read Full Article
