It’s only a matter of days until the 16th series of Dancing On Ice kicks off and 12 new celebrities take to the ice for the first time.
And the show’s dancers are preparing for the opening show on Sunday as they attended rehearsals on Tuesday.
Vanessa Bauer led the professionals as she was seen getting stuck into the skilful routine with a series of lifts and tricks alongside fellow ice skater Mark Hanretty.
The champion ice dancer, 27, made it look effortless as she was flipped upside down while in the safe hands of Mark, 38.
The full professional line up for this year’s series was revealed on Monday as a shake up among the skaters saw newbies Simon Senecal and Amani Fancy joining the show.
Vanessa Bauer, 27, led the Dancing On Ice professionals during rehearsals on Tuesday after the full line up was revealed
The professional dancers are preparing for the opening show on Sunday as they attended rehearsals to practise a group number
While Simon is partnered with former Love Island winner and West End star Amber Davies, Amani will take to the ice with soap star Ryan Thomas.
It was revealed in October that fan favourite Matt Evers would not be returning for this year’s series.
Matt was the show’s longest serving skater, having appeared on every series of Dancing On Ice since its launch in 2006.
He won the show just once with Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw while other series saw him partnered with a host of celebrities including Bonnie Langford, Denise Van Outen and Gemma Collins.
In 2020 he made show history as one half of its first same-sex partnership after pairing with Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins.
Married couple Alexandra Schauman and Łukasz Różycki have also chosen not to return for this year’s series, while Vanessa and Mark are joined by regulars Colin Grafton, Brendyn Hatfield, and Sylvain Longchambon.
Vanessa is partnered with reality star Miles Nazaire, while Mark has been showing radio presenter Adele Roberts the ropes.
Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi is partnered with Sylvain, Brendyn is with comedian Lou Saunders and Colin is with actress Claire Sweeney.
Vanessa was seen getting stuck into the skilful routine with a series of lifts and tricks alongside fellow ice skater Mark Hanretty
The 27-year-old made it look effortless as she was flipped upside down while in the safe hands of Mark, 38
Fellow newcomer Vanessa James put on an impressive display as she executed a no-handed flip with the support of Brendyn
Vanessa jumped into the air as she propelled herself into a terrifying flip
The skaters huddled around as they were joined by Karen Barber and Daniel Whiston, who have returned to the show as Head Coach and Creative Director respectively
Vanessa and Mark beamed from ear to ear as they danced in rehearsals
Newcomer Amani Fancy was seen skating with Andy Buchanan
Vanessa switched partners as she skated with newcomer Simon Senecal
The full professional line up for this year’s series was revealed on Monday as a shake up among the skaters saw newbies Simon Senecal and Amani Fancy joining the show
After warming up, Vanessa stripped down to a plunging brown gym top
This is Vanessa James’ first time on Dancing On Ice after she represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games
Vanessa showcased her impressive flexibility as she skated with Mark
Also pictured in rehearsals on Tuesday, fellow newcomer Vanessa James put on an impressive display as she executed a no-handed flip with the support of Brendyn.
The six-time French national champion represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympic games and is partnered with fellow Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford.
Finishing up the professional line up is Vicky Ogden, who is partnered with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Andy Buchanan who will take to the ice with Hannah Spearritt, and Robin Johnstone who will skate with Ricky Hatton.
The final new professional skater Anette Dytrt is with EastEnders star Ricky Norwood.
The skaters huddled around as they were joined by Karen Barber and Daniel Whiston, who have returned to the show as Head Coach and Creative Director respectively.
The celebrities and their partners have been practising for months, yet it will all come down to their performance on Sunday night for the public to see just how much they’ve learnt.
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!’
