Patsy Palmer reveals why she finally said yes to Dancing on Ice after relocating her family to the US

Patsy Palmer revealed why she finally said yes to appearing on ITV’s figure skating contest, Dancing on Ice, when appearing on This Morning.

The soap actress, 50, known for her role as Bianca Jackson on BBC soap EastEnders, told presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about her latest challenge.

Patsy Palmer, whose actual name is Julie Anne Merkell was born in Bethnal Green but moved to America in 2014.

The actress is back in the UK for her appearance on Dancing on Ice where she has been partnered with professional skater Matt Evers.

She will skate in the first live show on Sunday January 15, at 6:30pm alongside fellow celebrities Michelle Heaton, Joey Essex, Nile Wilson, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Siva Kaneswaran.

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Patsy admitted to feeling nervous ahead of the first live show but was ready to give it a go after rejecting the programme in the past.

This Morning, which is also hosted by Dancing on Ice presenters Holly and Phil, spoke to the soap star about why she had previously rejected the figure skating show.

The actress shared that the experience had been “amazing” telling the hosts: “It honestly is the most amazing experience, I’m not lying.

“Everything about it, it’s so interesting. The whole mind-body experience… everything about it, I’m fascinated every day”.

However she revealed she had not previously said yes to the show because she was “terrified.”

Patsy shared that she had previously said no to the programme in the past out of fear of hurting herself whilst skating.

It comes just days after she spoke to OK! Magazine where she shared “I thought I wasn’t going to do this because it’s going to be too hard. I was also thinking about my age and that I might hurt myself,

“Mainly, it’s just the physical side that makes me scared, but I know for a fact that I’ll be super nervous when it comes to the live shows - I do get very nervous. But it’s good to have a little bit of nerves.”

Speaking on This Morning, Patsy shared that she had wanted to do the show now that she had turned 50.

Patsy said that reaching the milestone birthday gave her the encouragement to sign up for the show, adding that she was grateful to have a “job” in these times.

The soap actress had also previously appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and was nervous about another challenge.

Patsy previously said: “When I was doing Strictly Come Dancing I used to get sick from spinning. I hadn’t really watched it so I didn’t realise how much spinning was involved. I was really gutted about that because it used to set me back.

“If I hadn’t had that I think I could have gone way further in the competition. I’m hoping that with the momentum on ice, it won’t happen.

“I’m obviously nervous about hurting myself, especially at my age as I’m 50 now - I don’t want to break any bones or anything. Mainly it’s just the physical side that makes me scared but I know for a fact that I’ll be super nervous when it comes to the live shows - I do get very nervous.

“But it’s good to have a little bit of nerves.”