Second Dancing On Ice star revealed: Popular nineties soap star confirms she’s taking to the rink as hit show prepares to return in the new year

Soap star Claire Sweeney is the second celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the next series of Dancing On Ice. 

The actress, 52, is the second celebrity to be announced, joining the previously announced World Champion Boxer Ricky Hatton MBE. 

Revealing the news on Wednesday’s This Morning, Claire said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to an ice rink with my son and actually being able to skate and not have to use the penguins they give you to help you stay upright!’

She added: ‘I’ve had to wear my boots around the house… I haven’t stepped on the ice yet.

‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I will feel. But I am very excited.’

Revealing the news on Wednesday’s This Morning, Claire, 52, said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to an ice rink with my son and actually being able to skate and not have to use the penguins they give you to help you stay upright!’

The actress is best known as Lindsay Corkhill 90s soap Brookside before joining Corrie earlier this year in the role of Cassie Plumber. 

It comes after Ricky, 44, revealed on This Morning: ‘If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink. I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!’

The name of the first contestant had been teased throughout the show by hosts Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard.

Ricky’s silhouette could be seen and a number of clues including boxing gloves were used to hint at his identity.

The sporting icon admitted his daughters are finding his latest signing ‘absolutlely hilarious’ but he said that he believes the show will be good for his well-being.

He said: ‘It was well documented that I struggled when I retired from boxing amongst a few other things and I’m trying to do my bit for mental health… I’ve never been shy to discuss it.’

‘When I retired I was sat there with nothing to do and my world fell apart a little bit. It’s all about keeping busy and doing things that are positive and new adventures!’

He also said: ‘I can dance on the solid floor but I don’t know how I’ll do on the dance floor. It’s more about being disciplined and about believing in yourself.

‘New adventures don’t come more than Dancing On Ice. It is a challenge and with boxing. it is a balance.

‘You remember dance sequencing and moves and in boxing, you do a little bit, remembering combinations and stuff like that. I should have the attributes to do pretty well.’

Dancing on Ice, created and produced by Lifted Entertainment, returns to ITV and ITVX in 2024 with a new cast. Twelve celebrities prepare to embark on the ultimate challenge as they take to the ice each week, skating live in a bid to impress both the panel and viewers at home.

Back for a sparkling new series, the greatest show on ice promises more glitz, glamour and show stopping performances as the celebrities brave it all to learn this dangerous discipline. But who has what it takes to master the skill and steps and lift the trophy at the end of the series?