Is it a good thing that a celebrity show which takes place on an ice rink and has a history of accidents is set to be ground-breaking?
Better than leg-breaking, I suppose, and producers will have fingers crossed that nothing untoward happens to Ian Watkins. Better know as ‘H’ from 90s dance-pop combo Steps, Watkins will become part of the first same-sex duo to take part in a dance competition on British TV when he teams up with professional skater Matt Evers for Dancing On Ice 2020.
Maybe the rumours that a same-sex pair were being considered for Strictly Come Dancing this year has forced the hand of the ITV production but LGBT+ rights campaigners have been generally positive about the news. However, while it’s a first for British TV, it’s not a worldwide innovation.
TV Betting at William Hill
In 2016, model and actor Nyle DiMarco and South African dancer Keo Motsepe separated from their female partners to dance a routine together on the US show Dancing With The Stars and drag queen Courtney Act was paired with a male partner for the Australian version of Dancing With The Stars last year. Last month, actor Jakob Fauerby and professional dancer Silas Holst won the Danish version of the show.
Of course, nobody will look twice after the early headlines but you can imagine that the show’s backers will want ‘H’ to stay upright and in contention for as long as possible. He is a general 8/1 to win the competition which features the usual mix of former soap stars, newsreaders, retired sportsmen and women and the odd novelty contestant. There are also the odd one or two who are offered up for celebrity talent shows like this because their agents have become desperate.
Dancing On Ice Winners Since 2006
Gaynor Faye – 2006
Kyran Bracken – 2007
Suzanne Shaw – 2008
Ray Quinn – 2009 & 2014
Hayley Tamaddon – 2010
Sam Attwater – 2011
Matthew Wolfenden – 2012
Beth Tweddle – 2013
No Show 2015-2017
Jake Quickenden – 2018
James Jordan – 2019
DANCING ON ICE 2020: THE EXPECTED CAST LIST
Perri Kiely
A members of dance group Diversity which shot to fame when they won Britain’s Got Talent 2009. Has also taken part in Celebs Go Dating and is the early favourite at a general 6/4.
Maura Higgins
Irish Love Island veteran who is trying to launch her own reality show. No doubt partner Curtis Pritchard will have been teaching some dance moves – available at 13/2 with William Hill.
Joe Swash
Winner and later presenter on I’m A Celebrity. Former Eastender actor who seems to make his living on the celebrity circuit nowadays and doesn’t turn much down. Swash is a best 8/1.
H
Was he ever allowed to sing on Steps’ singles? Has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and the celebrity special edition of The Chase since his ‘musical’ career stalled. Also a best 8/1.
Radzi Chinyanganya
Former Blue Peter presenter who was also part of the BBC team covering the Winter Olympics in 2018. He trialled for the GB skeleton team so an ice rink will hold no fears for the 33-year-old. Could be an interesting outsider at 10/1.
Ben Hanlin
Magician who admits he could barely stand up on ice before training began. But is his ineptitude an optical illusion – a general 12/1.
Caprice Bourret
American actress and model who has appeared in Hollyoaks and football drama Dream Team. That seems to be the extent of her sporting prowess and she is a general 14/1.
Libby Clegg
Paralympian sprinter who is registered blind. That could be an advantage given previous mishaps on the set! Libby is 16/1 with Betway but won’t be letting guide dog Hattie on to the ice.
Kevin Kilbane
The face of Boylesports, Kilbane won over 100 caps for the Republic Of Ireland. Now a soccer pundit, doesn’t really have a background which suggests he’ll be a natural figure skater and is a general 16/1.
Lisa George
Goes from the cobbles of Weatherfield to the much smoother surface of the ice rink but she’ll be one of the oldest contestants and is unlikely to be making the final stages. Lisa is 20/1 with Paddy Power.
Trisha Goddard
Now 62, 90s talkshow icon Trisha looks a long shot for the Dancing On Ice trophy but she does keep her self fit and her dance partner will be doing most of the lifting. That said, this is probably more an exercise to get her back in the public eye and she is 40/1 with Betway.
Lucrezia Millarini
ITV newsreader who wants to see if she can survive out from behind a desk. Unless she has hidden depths, Lucrezia may be a candidate to be first out of the stage door – also a best 40/1.
(All odds correct at 11.45am January 3)
