Eddie The Eagle is set to make his debut on Dancing on Ice on Sunday evening as the second episode of the skating show airs.
The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, is paired with professional Vicky Ogden and will dance to Jon Bon Jovi’s classic hit ‘ On A Prayer.
A first look image shared exclusively with MailOnline shows a huge model of an eagle floating above the ice as the performance kicks off.
He will make an incredible entrance to the rink on the model of the bird as he is suspended on wires and flies in.
He had crazy start to his Dancing On Ice journey after his original partner Tippy Packard was forced to pull out due to an injury.
A Dancing on Ice first look has revealed that Eddie The Eagle’s will make an incredible entrance on Sunday night’s show as he flies into the rink on a huge bird to make his skating show debut
He will make an unforgettable entrance to the rink on the model of the bird as he is suspended on wires and flies in
Eddie says in his opening VT as he reflects on the challenge: ‘Hopefully from now going forward, we can spend a lot more time on the ice and wow everybody on that first dance.’
Eddie – who exploded onto the scene at the 1988 Calgary Olympics – added of his chances: ‘I’ve always been an underdog. When I went to Calgary, I was very much an underdog.’
Eddie The Eagle, who’s real name is Michael Edwards, is now partnered with professional skater Vicky, after Tippy suffered an injury.
Eddie was brought in as a last minute replacement after Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb broke his ankle in the first week of rehearsals and had to withdraw from the competition.
Appearing on Thursday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, Eddie revealed exactly what happened when he and Tippy clashed on the ice during rehearsals.
Speaking to hosts Ben Shephard, Ranvir Singh alongside Richard Arnold, he said: ‘We’ve got a slight miscommunication and our skates clashed and we fell over and she damaged her knee.
‘We thought it was a couple of days off the ice but it turned out to be a month off the ice and they brought in a replacement and we carried on with Vicky Ogden.
The English ski jumper and Olympian, 60, is paired with professional Vicky Ogden and will dance to Jon Bon Jovi’s classic hit ‘ On A Prayer
He had crazy start to his Dancing On Ice journey after his original partner Tippy Packard (seen) was forced to pull out due to an injury
Appearing on Thursday’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, Eddie revealed exactly what happened when he and Tippy clashed on the ice during rehearsals
‘She’s lovely, but we’re kind of doing this for Tippy as well and Stephen, who broke his ankle.
‘So it’s a bit daunting because everyone has been doing it for three months and I have been doing it for three weeks.’
Former Gogglebox star Stephen, 52, left the Channel 4 show after a decade with aspirations to pursue further TV opportunities, and was quickly signed up to the dance series.
MailOnline exclusively revealed the star had suffered a freak accident in training, before being told by medics he had broken his left ankle and would be on crutches for the next three months.
Sharing an update to Instagram, Stephen revealed he had to undergo surgery and was ‘gutted’ to be out of the competition.
He captioned the post: ‘Thank you for all of your kind words and messages. On Wednesday last week during my training session for Dancing on Ice I fell and broke my left ankle.
‘I’ve had surgery and will be on crutches for a few months meaning, I’ve had to leave the competition which I’m absolutely gutted about.
‘I was having so much fun and enjoying learning to skate. I will of course be keeping a close eye on all of the other celebs and pros and supporting them all the way.
‘Unfortunately, I will also have to pull out of the London Marathon. I’m doing my best to keep my spirits up and will hopefully be back on my feet again very soon.’
Stephen was rushed to the Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth, where medics told him he had broken his left ankle and would be on crutches for at least the next three months.
The TV personality underwent an operation to put metal plates into his ankle for additional support, but there’s no hope of him getting back on the ice.
Eddie, who was placed last in the 1988 Winter Olympics, could be the one to beat on the show as he is revealed to be a top contender ahead of the show launch date.
The star has hugely impressed in rehearsals alongside professional skater Vicky.
A show insider told The Sun: ‘Eddie is keen to downplay his chances but he is looking really good, and could be this year’s one to to beat’.
Eddie said he feels pressure to do well on the ITV show but insisted that his skiing experience has no use in the rink.
He explained: ‘When I ski, I automatically get myself into a certain stance. That stance is not a good stance for skating, which is why I feeling falling on my face.’
Eddie joined the ITV runaway show as he replaced Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb (pictured) – who was forced to quit due to breaking his ankle in October
Eddie said he feels pressure to do well on the ITV show but insisted that his skiing experience has no use in the rink (pictured 2013)
Eddie The Eagle became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping in 1988.
The sportsman unfortunately finished last in both Normal Hill and Large Hill events.
However, he held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. He also took part in amateur speed skiing, running at 106.8 km/h (66.4 mph).
In 2016, he was portrayed by Taron Egerton and Tom and Jack Costello in the biographical film Eddie the Eagle which also starred Hugh Jackman.
Dancing on Ice airs tonight at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
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.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’m going to relish!’
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.’
RYAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Everyone keeps asking me, “are you doing it?” I’ve told everyone!’
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’
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t ice-skate. I haven’t really said anything to anyone but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’
