Gemma Collins and Richard Blackwood are the first stars confirmed for the next series of Dancing On Ice.
The duo were unveiled during Monday’s episode of This Morning as they spoke about the new challenges they will face on the ITV skating show.
Admitting she is ‘scared and nervous’ about taking part in the challenge, Gemma added that one of her biggest fears is that her partner won’t be able to lift her.
It’s official: Gemma Collins and Richard Blackwood are the first stars confirmed for the next series of Dancing On Ice
She confessed: ‘I know how hard it is, I’ve done my research. I am scared and nervous, I don’t know how they’re gonna lift me up and how fast I can get around the ice… I really want to give this a go.’
Gemma also revealed she’s going to be giving it her all when she competes, saying: ‘I’ve asked the producers to let me come out to Crazy In Love by Beyonce. I’m really going for it!
‘I done my own show earlier this year and they want to do a Christmas special but I said they’ll have to film me on the ice rink!’
Speaking out: The duo were unveiled during Monday’s episode of This Morning as they spoke about the new challenges they will face on the ITV skating show
Apprehensive: Admitting she is ‘scared and nervous’ about taking part in the challenge, Gemma added that one of her biggest fears is that her partner won’t be able to lift her
Worries: She candidly admitted: ‘I know how hard it is, I’ve done my research. I am scared and nervous, I don’t know how they’re gonna lift me up.’
She added: ‘I heard you shape up on the show, I might come out with a dream body!’
As Richard insisted ‘You look good now!’ Gemma cut in: ‘I know, but I’ve been on holiday with Arg – he’s good – and we were saying we need to go on a diet!’
Revealing that she’s always dreamed of twirling around the ice, Gemma added: ‘As a young girl my brother used to play ice hockey so I was at the rink a lot.
‘I remember seeing some white boots in the shop and asking my mum to be a skater but she said “No, you’re doing dance and drama and singing, you’re not doing any more, we can’t afford it.” So I never got those white boots.’
Nerves: She added: ‘I heard you shape up on the show, I might come out with a dream body!’, to which Richard insisted ‘You look good now!’
Dream come true: Revealing that she’s always dreamed of twirling around the ice, Gemma added : ‘As a young girl my brother used to play ice hockey so I was at the rink a lot.’
Childhood: She continued: ‘I remember seeing some white boots in the shop and asking my mum to be a skater but she said “No, you’re doing dance and drama and singing!’
Glamorous: For her exciting news and This Morning debut, Gemma looked sensational in high-waisted black trousers and a lace top
Looking good: The reality royalty styled her blonde locks into a curly blow-dried hairdo as she added a slick of make-up
TV stardom: Gemma has been on several reality shows in the past, including Celebrity Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebs Go Dating – to name a few
Whilst Gemma is a novice, Richard admitted he’s got a lot of skating experience.
He revealed: ‘I grew up in Sweden so I used to skate out there. Frozen lakes, on the way to school and stuff, a lot of people don’t know that’
And despite Gemma quipping: ‘Now I’m about to pull out of the show’, Richard revealed he’s not feeling overly-confident.
Ready to hit the ice: Whilst Gemma is a novice, Richard admitted he’s got a lot of skating experience. He revealed: ‘I grew up in Sweden so I used to skate out there’
‘I can skate but I normally dance on dry land,’ he said, ‘dancing and skating are two different things. I can move, I can shake my stuff.’
A host of famous faces, including Jane Danson, Emma Atkins, and Brian McFadden, have been rumoured for the show but Phillip Schofield – who hosts Dancing On Ice with Holly Willoughby- ruled out one name.
Reading out a list of rumoured hopefuls, he commented: ‘Rylan Clark-Neal – Rylan will never do it, he can skate but he’s always said he’ll never do it.’
Loving life: Whilst Gemma practises for Dancing On Ice, James Argent has been getting ready for work in the Aladdin Panto at The Middleton Arena in Manchester
Looking good: The star will soon be taking to the stage night after night in panto