Singer Jason Donovan is to compete in the ITV show Dancing on Ice.
The 52-year-old, who shot to fame by playing Scott Robinson in the soap Neighbours, said skating “is all about balance and confidence”.
He has supported Oxford Children's Hospital over the years, visiting on numerous occasions and backin the OX5 Run, which is one of the major fundraising events for the hospital charity.
Jason confirmed the news on ITV's This Morning to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield back in September, saying: “I’ve always been a big fan of winter sports, whether it’s ski-ing, skating, snowboarding…après ski-ing. My daughter Molly is very excited about me doing shapes on the dance floor or maybe not…depending on how it goes! And also the opportunity to spend a Sunday night with you guys.”
Denise Van Outen
He added: "Skating is all about balance and confidence. I’ve done a little bit of skating in my youth, in Australia surprisingly in the heat of an Australian summer. I’ve surfed, I’ve skied a lot so I guess I’ll bring a little bit of that confidence."
Alongside his promo picture on Instagram, he posted the caption: "Time to get focussed on my footwork and deliver some shapes that even my 9 year old daughter can be proud of ! I can’t wait to get on the ice, have some fun and bring a big smile to everyone’s face in 2021!"
Dancing On Ice has confirmed that it will be returning to screens on January 17.
ITV reassured fans that the show will be back as planned but new precautions will be in place, including perspex dividers between the judges and no audience.
The news comes amid claims the celebrities and their professional skating partners were concerned about coronavirus hitting the show and it being cancelled.
Myleene Klaas
Confirming the return of the hit series, ITV tweeted: "Confirmed: Dancing on Ice returns Sunday 17 January at 6pm on ITV.
"Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby once again return to present the show and the expert Ice Panel of Torvill and Dean, John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo."
Other contestants include Myleene Klaas and Denise Van Outen.
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