Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney confirmed as Dancing On Ice’s second celeb name by This Morning’s Holly Willoughby
DANCING On Ice has signed Claire Sweeney to star in its upcoming series.
The 52-year-old was announced as the show’s second signing after yesterday’s story in The Sun.
Liverpool actress Claire will be taking to the ice in January 2024, following boxing legend Ricky Hatton‘s reveal yesterday.
Claire‘s identity was teased throughout today’s This Morning by Dancing On Ice host Holly Willoughby who dropped major clues – including that the contestant was a soap star.
In another nod to Claire’s career, the camera later shot to someone using a paint roller alongside a stopwatch.
Claire famously presented 60 Minute Makeover from 2004 to 2006, which saw viewers’ homes transformed in an hour.
Earlier this year she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Cassandra Plummer who is Tyrone Dobbs’ biological mum.
Towards the end of the show, 42-year-old Holly and her co-host Ben Shephard finally announced Claire will learn to dance on ice for series 16 of the ITV show.
Claire said: “I’m nervous and excited about doing it.”
Quizzed on her previous dance experience, she said: “How does dancing prepare you for skating? It’s totally different.
“It’s more about the mind and conquering the fear. You can make nice shapes with your arms and stuff like that but it’s about getting over the fear.”
Claire’s been wearing in her ice boots around the house – much to the bemusement of her nine-year-old son.
But she’s yet to step on the ice for any rehearsals.
“The headbanger does terrify me,” she admitted.
“I’m looking forward to the makeover. I heard the hair and make-up team are fantastic.
“Having the make-under as Cassie on Corrie then a make-over on the weekend will be really nice.”
Claire’s signing follows yesterday’s confirmation that ex-world champion Ricky is also in the cast.
He made a dramatic entrance on This Morning yesterday by punching through a paper screen – after The Sun revealed his signing two weeks ago.
Ricky insisted he’s not afraid to swap the boxing rink for the ice rink, adding: “Being a boxer I have been on my a**e a few times.
“But skating is all about balance and so is boxing, and I’ve got good upper body strength.”
Asked why he signed up for the show, Ricky, who advocates for improving mental health, said: “What I bang the drum about is keeping yourself busy.
“When I was retired I was sat there with nothing to do and my will power fell apart a bit.
“It’s about taking on new adventures, and it doesn’t come quite as new as Dancing On Ice.”
The Manchester sportsman retired in 2011 before another defeat in his comeback fight led him to retire from the sport for good.
It comes after The Sun revealed a huge Coronation Street star and a former S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt and Stephen from Gogglebox have both signed up.
Holly will host again with Stephen Mulhern rumoured to be replacing Phillip Schofield as co-presenter.
