Dancing On Ice star Carley Stenson admits she’s both ‘nervous and excited’ to be judged by pal Oti Mabuse when she takes to the ice later this month.
Former Strictly pro Oti, 32, famously paired with Carly’s husband Danny Mac, 34, in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing coming runner-up, with the trio since remaining friends.
And speaking ahead of her Dancing On Ice debut, former Hollyoaks actress Carley, 40, told how Oti has insisted that she wouldn’t be ‘holding back’ on her comments just because they are pals.
While Carley has also told how she has her eyes on the final as she wants to equal if not go one further than her husband in their respective competition shows.
Apprehension: Dancing On Ice star Carley Stenson admits she’s both ‘nervous and excited’ to be judged by pal Oti Mabuse when she takes to the ice later this month
Chatting to MailOnline and other press about facing judge Oti, Carley said: ‘I’m really nervous and excited about what Oti is going to say because obviously she danced with Danny!
‘She’s fierce, she’s a fierce friend and she’s already said to me, “I’m not gonna hold back Carls, just because we’re friends!”‘
Detailing how though she’s apprehensive, she still wants to be critiqued like everyone else, Carley added: ‘But I want to be judged by Oti, Oti’s amazing. So I want full Oti!
Duo: Former Strictly pro Oti, 32, famously paired with Carley’s husband Danny Mac, 34, in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing coming runner-up, with the trio since remaining friends (pictured on tour in 2017)
‘I’m scared that I’ve said that now! I’m ready… no I’m not ready for her at all!’
Meanwhile, the ex soap star – who played Steph Dean in Hollyoaks – gushed over the support she gets from former co-star Danny as she juggles rehearsals and their baby daughter, while adding that he liked to remind her of how well he did in Strictly.
She explained: ‘He’s massively supportive. He’s like, “come on Carls, this is your time now don’t worry about me and Skye, I’ve got it covered, focus on you!” He is great like that.
No special treatment: Former Hollyoaks actress Carley, 40, told how Oti has insisted that she wouldn’t be ‘holding back’ on her comments just because they are pals
Game on! While Carley has also told how she has her eyes on the final as she wants to equal if not go one further than her husband in their respective competition shows
‘But then he also does add in: “I was runner-up though babe!” So I have to beat him in that sense!
‘So if I just said that if I make the final we’ll be equal and it’ll be fine! But it will be un though!’
In addition to doing well to beat Danny, Carley also told how she wished to perform well for the sake of her pro dance partner Mark Hanretty.
Bring it on: Detailing how though she’s apprehensive, she still wants to be critiqued like everyone else, Carley added: ‘But I want to be judged by Oti, Oti’s amazing. So I want full Oti!’
Love: Carley gushed over the support she gets from former co-star Danny as she juggles rehearsals and their baby daughter, while adding that he liked to remind her of how well he did in Strictly
On whether she and her fellow skaters were in it to win it, she explained: ‘I’ve said and in God’s honest truth, I want to be in it for as long as possible because I don’t want the experience to end.
‘It would be beautiful to win, especially for Mark. It would make no difference to me, though that would be lovely, but Mark, you know would have got got me there. So it’s… I don’t want to leave early.’
Dancing on Ice returns Sunday January 15, 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Partners: In addition to doing well to beat Danny, Carley also told how she wished to perform well for the sake of her pro dance partner Mark Hanretty
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Actress and DJ
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Love Island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’
MOLLIE GALLAGHER
AGE: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”
JOEY ESSEX
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’
CARLEY STENSON
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘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.’
SIVA KANESWARAN
AGE: 33
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’
JOHN FASHANU
AGE: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I am definitely in it to win it.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!’
NILE WILSON
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Comedian
AGE: 34
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘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!’
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’
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