A mix of stars from the world of TV, sport and music will all be getting their skates on next year when the new series of Dancing On Ice gets underway.
Yes, the current series of Strictly might be just a few short weeks into its run, but ITV has now confirmed the full list of celebrities hitting the rink next year.
These are the 12 stars who’ll be appearing on Dancing On Ice when it returns to our screens in January 2022...
Sally Dynevor
Known for: Playing Sally Webster in Coronation Street for the last 35 years.
She says: “I’m not getting any younger. I’ve just got to take every opportunity I get so that when I’m old I can say ‘You know what? I gave it a go’.
“Now everyone knows I’m doing it, I can’t back out, can I? And I’m so scared.”
Bonus fact: Sally’s daughter Phoebe is now also a household name after starring in the first series of the hit Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
Bez
Known for: Shaking his maracas and pulling some shapes alongside The Happy Mondays.
He says: “At the moment it’s more like Bambi on Ice, not Dancing On Ice. How I got picked I don’t know because I was absolutely awful at the audition but they must have seen some potential in me.
“I’m looking forward to learning a new skill and I can’t wait for the Christmas ice rinks again so I can get on there and really show off.”
Bonus fact: Bez has already proved popular with the public once before, winning Celebrity Big Brother way back in 2005.
Stef Reid
Known for: Representing Team GB at the Paralympics in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
She says: “I’m going to be picking up a new sport this winter and it comes with a little bit of showbiz. I’m going to be a contestant on Dancing on Ice and it’s a little bit scary but I cannot wait!”
Bonus fact: Stef has always been sporty, and previously played rugby union before having her right foot amputated after a boat accident when she was a teenager.
Liberty Poole
Known for: Being one of the stand-out stars of this year’s Love Island.
She says: “I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks, no pirouetting or anything, so I’m really looking forward to pushing myself and learning as much as I possibly can.
“Not just skating around the ice but actually dancing on ice. Bring it on!”
Bonus fact: Liberty is keeping ice skating in the family – her mum is actually already a trained figure skater.
Ben Foden
Known for: Being a rugby union player
He says: “I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill. I’m quite competitive as well so I like the challenge of competing against others doing something that I’m not necessarily good at!”
Bonus fact: Although best known as a rugby star – and the ex-husband of The Saturdays star Una Healy – you may have seen Ben trying his hand at singing during the 2019 series of X Factor: Celebrity, alongside fellow players Levi Davis and Thom Evans.
Regan Gascoigne
Known for: Being the son of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne.
He says: “Obviously I dance and love dancing, but it’s the skill of this… I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!”
Bonus fact: Regan began training as a ballerina when he was eight years old, and has performed in The Nutcracker with the English National Ballet.
Rachel Stevens
Known for: Being a member of S Club 7 and later embarking on a solo career.
She says: “I’m so excited, obviously really nervous. It’s one of those things,
until you do it you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Bonus fact: In 2008, Rachel was a frontrunner all the way through her series of Strictly, but eventually finished in second place behind Tom Chambers.
Brendan Cole
Known for: Performing as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing for 15 years.
He says: “I’ve had one go [at ice skating]. I’m a fairly confident person and I was thinking I would be fine... I was terrible. I was a bit wobbly.
“I was hoping I was going to be better than I was, but I’ve got time to learn.”
Bonus fact: Throughout his time on Strictly, Brendan was known for speaking his mind no matter what, previously clashing with judges Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas, as well as several of his celebrity partners.
Kye Whyte
Known for: Competing at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year, where he won Silver for his BMX abilities.
He says: “I think I can win Dancing On Ice. “I’d love to see if I can make the final because, as I said, I’m very competitive. You know what? I want to make the final!”
Bonus fact: After a serious accident earlier in his BMX career, Kye was placed in an induced coma and was unable to ride for a year.
Ria Hebden
Known for: Presenting the entertainment news on Lorraine and hosting All Around Britain.
She says: “You’ve got to say yes to things that excite you, that are a little bit scary because that’s when the growth happens - I’m hoping so anyway!”
“I’m going to go on this journey and hopefully inspire mums, dads and everyone to give things a go.”
Bonus fact: Ria is also the founder of Wonder Women TV, which she describes as “an inspirational women’s network that champions phenomenal women who work in television and the creative industries”.
Kimberly Wyatt
Known for: Kicking her leg up ever so high as a member of the Pussycat Dolls.
She says: “I’m nervous, that ice is going to hit hard. I’m just excited to see what I can do on there. I’m up for a challenge!”
Bonus fact: Kimberly follows in the footsteps of former bandmate Melody Thornton, who competed on Dancing On Ice back in 2019. Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts was also a judge on the show for a short spell.
Connor Ball
Known for: Playing bass in The Vamps.
He says: “I’m quite clumsy, accident prone. Ice is hard! It was pretty hard to keep the secret. The rest of the band know. They’re super excited for me.”
Bonus fact: During his time in The Vamps, Connor has collaborated with stars including Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato and hip-hop duo Krept & Konan.
Dancing On Ice will return to our screens in January 2022.