Eddie The Eagle showed of his skating skills on Thursday as he threw himself into Dancing On Ice rehearsals with professional figure-skater Tippy Packard.
The British ski jumper, 59, was brought in 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.
Eddie appeared in great spirits as he followed figure skater Tippy, 28, around the rink.
The Olympian ski jumper, whose real name Michael Edwards, cut a casual figure in a green jacket, grey jogging bottoms and black ice skates.
Eddie put safety first and wore a black helmet, tightened firmly around his chin, and kept warm with a pair of thick, black gloves.
Cool: Eddie The Eagle showed of his skating skills on Thursday as he threw himself into Dancing On Ice rehearsals with professional figure-skater Tippy Packard
Enjoying it: The British ski jumper, 59, was brought in a last minute replacement after Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb broke his ankle in the first week of rehearsals
Appropriately dressed: Eddie, real name Michael Edwards, wore a green jacket grey jogging bottoms and black ice skates
Professional Tippy needed no helmet and just wore a dark tan coat with black trousers which spilled over her matching tan skates.
She also proved this was her natural habitat as she sported neither gloves nor a hat.
Tippy held Eddie’s hand tightly and guided him around with a smile on her face, demonstrating how he should keep his other arm outstretched.
She soon worked up a sweat and stripped off her coat to reveal a black jumper.
Tippy then let go of Eddie’s hand, allowing him to go it alone, but kept a supportive hand on his back.
Eddie is making steady improvement from his first week of training, which saw him train in an identical outfit.
The Olympian was announced as a contestant on Dancing On Ice after Gogglebox star Stephen broke his ankle and was forced to withdraw.
The star had suffered a freak accident in training and would be on crutches for the next three months.
Dancing On Ice’s bad luck doesn’t end there as West End star Amber Davies, who is due to appear on the show, revealed she had torn a leg muscle on Thursday.
Beginner: He put safety first and wore a black helmet, tightened firmly around his chin, and kept warm with a pair of thick, black gloves
No helmet for me: Professional Tippy needed no helmet and just wore a dark tan coat with black trousers which spilled over her matching tan skates
Used to it: She also proved the ice was her natural habitat as she sported neither gloves nor a hat
Flying solo: She soon let go of Eddie’s hand, allowing him to go it alone, but kept a supportive hand on his back
What’s this? Tippy got down on one knee and held Eddie’s hand over her head as he looked down in confusion
Sharing a joke: Eddie skated over to the stands where he began chatting with a woman who giggled
Worked up a sweat: Back on the ice, Tippy worked up a sweat and had stripped off her coat, revealing a black jumper
Easy does it! Tippy looked terrified when Eddie hoisted her into the air with a determined look on his face
Reinforcements: Tippy took a step back as her colleague crouched down with Eddie, who may have endured a sprain
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: 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!’
