Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards is ALREADY tipped to win Dancing On Ice after impressing in rehearsals: ‘He could be this year’s player to beat’
Eddie The Eagle Edwards could be the one to beat on Dancing On Ice as he is revealed to be a top contender ahead of the show’s launch date.
The British ski jumper, 59, who finished last at the 1988 Winter Olympics, has made a huge impression in rehearsals alongside professional skater Vicky Ogden.
A show insider told The Sun: ‘Eddie is keen to downplay his chances but he looks really good and could be this year’s player to beat.’
Eddie was brought in as a last-minute replacement after Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb broke his ankle in the first week of rehearsals and had to withdraw from the competition.
Eddie, whose real name is Michael Edwards, said he feels the pressure to do well on the ITV show but insisted his skiing experience is of no use on the ice rink.
Eddie The Eagle Edwards could be the one we beat on Dancing On Ice as he is revealed to be a top contender ahead of the show’s launch date
The British ski jumper, 59, who came last at the 1988 Winter Olympics, has made a huge impression in rehearsals alongside professional skater Vicky Ogden.
He explained, “When I ski, I automatically put myself in a certain position. That position is not a good position for skating, that’s why I feel like I’m falling on my face.’
The Olympian was announced as a participant in the speed skating competition after Gogglebox star Stephen broke his ankle and had to withdraw.
The star had suffered a freak accident during training and would be on crutches for the next three months.
Dancing On Ice’s bad luck doesn’t end there as West End star Amber Davies, who will appear on the show, revealed on Thursday she had torn a leg muscle.
Eddie The Eagle became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping in 1988.
The sportsman unfortunately finished last in both the Normal Hill and Large Hill events.
However, he held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001. He also competed in amateur speed skiing, reaching 106.8 km/h (66.4 mph).
In 2016, he was played by Taron Egerton and Tom and Jack Costello in the biographical film Eddie the Eagle, which also starred Hugh Jackman.
A show insider told The Sun: ‘Eddie is keen to downplay his chances but he looks really good and could be this year’s player to beat’
Eddie, whose real name is Michael Edwards, said he feels pressure to do well on the ITV show but insisted his skiing experience is of no use on the ice rink (pictured 2013)
Eddie took part in ITV’s Runaway show when he replaced Stephen Lustig-Webb (pictured), who was forced to quit in October after breaking his ankle
Eddie will join Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, Love Island’s Amber Davies, boxer Ricky Hatton, Olympian Greg Rutherford, S Club singer Hannah Spearritt and Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi at the skating show.
As well as radio presenter and former Big Brother contestant Adele Roberts, actress and TV presenter Claire Sweeney, comedian Lou Sanders, Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire and ex EastEnder Ricky Norwood.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former professional boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”
HANNA SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RIAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing it?’ I told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can control them.”
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
NICE SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’