Dancing on Ice: when does it start, and full lineup including Patsy Palmer, John Fashanu and Ekin-Su

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Soap stars, a former footballer and a Love Island winner...meet the current crop of celebrities appearing on Dancing on Ice 2023

Multiple celebrities have been confirmed for the upcoming season of Dancing on Ice, which is set to air next year.

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The first celebrity confirmed was Patsy Palmer, who is now a DJ after a long stint as Bianca Jackson on the BBC One soap, but will soon be taking a different career path as she hits the ice.

This show has featured a number of different soap stars down the years, including Coronation Street’s Sally Dyvenor and Emmerdale’s Hayley Tamaddon.

Since when she was announced, stars including ex Love Island winners, former footballers, reality stars are now set to take the Ice next year.

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What is the full Dancing on Ice lineup?

  • Patsy Palmer

Patsy Palmer has previously appeared in Strictly Come Dancing (Getty Images)Patsy Palmer has previously appeared in Strictly Come Dancing (Getty Images)
Patsy Palmer has previously appeared in Strictly Come Dancing (Getty Images) | Getty Images

Asked why she decided to take part this year, she said: “Out of all the things that came through at that time, this was the one that I had to really think about.

“Obviously I wanted to challenge myself, get back to work, get out of my comfort zone. I just thought, I’ll just go for it! It seems a lot of fun. I do like ice skating, although I’m not a figure skater.”

“I’ve been absolutely terrified before, but I feel like the pact I made myself when I was 50, which I was this year, was that I had to do things to challenge myself for the next couple of years and get out of my comfort zone.

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“I don’t wanna get stuck in this thing of, “Ah I’m 50!” It’s such a weird age. This is for all the 50 year olds that think they can’t challenge themselves!”

  • John Fashanu

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Fashanu is a former footballer who turned out for the likes of Millwall and Norwich. He is best known for being part of the ‘crazy gang’ with Wimbledon, who won the FA Cup in 1988.

Meanwhile Fashanu, speaking about his upcoming appearance said “I’m so excited to be a part of Dancing on Ice! I don’t think it’ll come as a surprise to people that I’m very competitive - I am definitely in it to win it.

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“And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge.”

  • Ekin-Su

Ekin-Su Cuculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti were the winners of reality TV series Love Island (Getty Images)Ekin-Su Cuculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti were the winners of reality TV series Love Island (Getty Images)
Ekin-Su Cuculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti were the winners of reality TV series Love Island (Getty Images) | Getty Images for boohooMAN

Love Island 2022 winner Ekin-Su announced as the latest celebrity to be on the show. She won the show by a landslide, finishing clear of runner-ups Luca Bish and Gemma Owen.

She said “I’ve got some amazing news to tell you – I will be doing next year’s Dancing on Ice.

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“I’m so excited for the team. I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned, and see you on the ice!”

  • Nile Wilson

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The fourth celebrity announced was former Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, who won an Olympic bronze medal in the men’s horizontal bar at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The 26-year-old from Leeds said “I’m going to be on ITV’s Dancing on Ice! This is a really cool thing, I’ve certainly not done much ice skating but I am so excited for the opportunity.”

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  • The Vivienne

The Vivienne (Getty Images)The Vivienne (Getty Images)
The Vivienne (Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Lee Williams, better known as ‘The Vivienne’ is a welsh drag queen, most known for winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, and later returning to compete in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

On her upcoming performance, The Vivienne said “Excited to announce that I will be competing in Dancing on Ice in 2023!

“A dream come true. To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is truly an honour. I think it’s a big step forward for queer representation on TV.”

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  • Joey Essex

Joey Essex will appear on Dancing on Ice in 2023 (Getty Images)Joey Essex will appear on Dancing on Ice in 2023 (Getty Images)
Joey Essex will appear on Dancing on Ice in 2023 (Getty Images) | Getty Images for MTV

Essex is most known for being on reality TV show The Only Way Is Essex. He has also enjoyed stints on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, finishing in fourth place.

He said “I’m doing it for me.

“I want to impress the judges but I want to impress myself. I’m going to put all my effort into this.”

  • Mollie Gallagher

Mollie Gallagher attended the British Soap Awards 2022. (Getty Images)Mollie Gallagher attended the British Soap Awards 2022. (Getty Images)
Mollie Gallagher attended the British Soap Awards 2022. (Getty Images) | Getty Images

Gallagher currently plays Nina Lucas on long-running soap Coronation Street, and was part of one of the soap’s heaviest hitting storylines, where she and her partner, Seb, were attacked due to their appearance.

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On ITV show Lorraine, she said “I’m really excited. I’ve not really felt nervous yet, strangely. But being here today, I am now feeling it a little bit!

‘I’ll be getting all the tips I can because I’m going to need it! I think I’ve not got the best coordination and everyone that knows me well knows that so when they find out I’m doing this, they’re gonna laugh!”

  • Darren Harriott

Sara Cox and Darren Harriott are the hosts of the show (BBC / Ricochet / Cody Burridge)Sara Cox and Darren Harriott are the hosts of the show (BBC / Ricochet / Cody Burridge)
Sara Cox and Darren Harriott are the hosts of the show (BBC / Ricochet / Cody Burridge) | (BBC / Ricochet / Cody Burridge)

The comedian has appeared on Love Island aftersun, and has made numerous TV appearances on shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and Richard Osman’s House of Games.

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“I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance! My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!”

  • Carley Stenson

Getty Images for Stella Artois

Stenson is most known for her 11-year stint on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. She has also enjoyed multiple roles on the West End, playing the role of Fantine in Les Miserables, Elle Woods on Legally Blonde and more.

‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait.

“I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”

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