Joey Essex shares painful ice skating injuries ahead of first Dancing on Ice live show on Sunday

ITV’s hit figure skating competition kicks off on Sunday, with eleven celebrities in intense rehearsals ahead of the first live show.

Joey Essex, 32, from Southwark, has signed up to appear on Dancing on Ice and has been showing off his rehearsals on his Instagram account.

The former TOWIE star took to his social media to share the injuries that he has sustained since rehearsing for the show, including a nasty scar.

Joey took some time away from rehearsals on Monday as he entered the boxing ring with his coach Tony Sims.

On Instagram, the reality star showed his 1.8million followers a look at his sparring session with the American mixed martial artist.

After his training session, Joey took to Instagram to show off his Dancing on Ice injuries.

Among the snaps was a large scar on his finger that he had sustained during his ice skating rehearsals.

The photo, shared on the reality stars Instagram stories showed his finger with the caption “lucky”.

It was followed by another photo of Joey that shows a large bruise across his hand.

The first episode of Dancing on Ice begins on ITV on Sunday night at 6:30pm, with Joey putting in lots of practice ahead of the first show.

Joey has been partnered with professional skater Vanessa Bauer, with the couple already having to shut down rumours of a romantic relationship.

Vanessa addressed the rumours when the 25-year-old told The Sun: “We are just skating partners.”

When probed further about her relationship with the reality star and whether she could see a potential romance blossoming, Vanessa said: “No, no, we are just skating partners.”

The interview came just days after the TOWIE star was seen kissing former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins after the Pride of Britain Awards.

The couple were seen locking lips in October with the pair reportedly planning their first date shortly after, however nothing has been said since.

Joey Essex has reportedly also become infatuated with his ice skating partner Vanessa with a source telling The Sun: “They’ve certainly got close very quickly but maybe it’s no surprise – Vanessa is stunning and Joey has always been a charmer.

“As soon as he was paired up with her those who know him reckoned he’d fancy her like mad, and he’s clearly not wasting any time making a move.”

Last year Vanessa Bauer came second on the show when skating with her partner Brendan Cole.

The professional skater and her New Zealand ballroom dance partner lost out on winning the competition, despite their best efforts to Regan Gascoigne and his partner Karina Manta.

Vanessa previously won Dancing on Ice in 2018 with singer Jake Quickenden and again came second the following year with Wes Nelson from Love Island.

For more information about Joey Essex visit: https://www.peopleworld.co.uk/people/joey-essex