Emmerdale legend Roxy Shahidi is reportedly going to join the line-up of the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice.
The actress, who plays Leyla Harding in the Yorkshire soap, is reportedly due to take to the ice in January, and she might have a secret advantage on the show.
Aside from her acting skills, the star, 40, is also a qualified yoga teacher which could help her reach those high score during the competition.
The line up is usually filled with high profile soap stars and Emmerdale have a good track record with both Gaynor Faye and Matthew Wolfenden lifting the ice trophy on the show.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘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.’
New name: Emmerdale legend Roxy Shahidi is reportedly going to join the line-up of the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice
From soaps to skates: The actress, who plays Leyla Harding in the Yorkshire soap, is reportedly due to take to the ice in January (pictured in scenes from March)
Discussing her love of yoga, they added: ‘Roxy is extremely flexible so she’ll have no problem getting into some of the more demanding positions needed for the difficult routines she’ll have to tackle.’
The star regular takes to Instagram to share her yoga routines with her followers as she stretches out in her conservatory.
The actress turned 40 this year and it seems she is ready to tackle one of her biggest challenges yet.
MailOnline has contacted Roxy’s representatives and the BBC for comment.
On Friday, it was announced that Love Island legend Amber Davies will be joining this year’s line up.
Amber, who won Love Island in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay, made the announcement on Lorraine.
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.’
Secret advantage: Aside from her acting skills, the star is also a qualified yoga teacher which could help her reach those high score during the competition
Keeping fit: The star regular takes to Instagram to share her yoga routines with her followers as she stretches out in her conservatory
‘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.’
Amber will be joined by S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt, soap star Claire Sweeney and World Champion Boxer Ricky Hatton MBE on the upcoming series.
It has also been reported that Olympian and Strictly star Greg Rutherford could be joining the line-up, but the news is yet to be confirmed.
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’
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, I don’t want the adrenalin to get the better of me’
