Skating pro Sylvain Longchambon ‘to be top coach’ on revamped Dancing on Ice
ICE skater SYLVAIN LONGCHAMBON is the first pro-skater to sign up for the revamped Dancing on Ice – and I hear he is in line for a bigger role than before.
Bosses have been auditioning celebrities to join the line-up of contestants, but they’re now turning their attention to the professionals who will help the hapless hopefuls stay upright on the rink.
And with JAYNE TORVILL and CHRISTOPHER DEAN moving from their long-standing coaching role to the judging panel, Sylvain is in pole position to step in and show the stars the ropes.
Sources say ITV bosses are planning to bring in a raft of new professionals to pair up with the celebs — but Sylvain remains a firm favourite and has been invited back.
An insider explained: “Dancing on Ice is going to look quite different when it comes back.
“Torvill and Dean are going to be on the judging panel so there will need to be a new approach to teaching the celebs to skate.
“Sylvain has been on the show for years and has proved popular with both the fans and the production team so they’ve asked him to come back.
“Things are still up in the air and a lot of new skaters are being considered and approached, so the line-up of pros could look totally different.
“But Sylvain will definitely be at least one familiar face when the show comes back early next year.
“There is also talk of him taking a coaching role with Torvill and Dean moving to the judging panel.”
Sylvain first joined the show in 2011, when he was paired with Hollyoaks actress JENNIFER METCALFE, but an injury forced him to pull out of performing with Sugababes singer HEIDI RANGE the following year.
He returned in 2013 and was paired up with Coronation Street’s SAMIA GHADIE, who he married last August and has a 22-month-old son with.
Celeb contestants understood to be in the mix include KATIE PRICE, Bake Off winner CANDICE BROWN and ALEX GERRARD, wife of former England footballer Steven.
But producers have yet to settle on a final line-up, as only stars who can pick up the basics in time to start the show will make the final cut.
And there are still places up for grabs on the judging panel, with many fans hoping the contest’s “Mr Nasty” JASON GARDINER will make a return to the show — complete with his cutting critiques and barbed remarks. I can’t wait.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZ TV COLUMN
Alana bakes gender equality
ALANA SPENCER became the fifth woman to win The Apprentice in the show’s 12-year history last December.
And now the entrepreneur has said there needs to be a “definite change” to the way women are treated in business – and the BBC must rectify its gender pay gap.
In an exclusive interview, Alana said: “It is sad that women can earn less than men and work the same job. There definitely, definitely, definitely needs to be a change.
“It is hard to understand it if you haven’t worked in that sector, but it is going on.
“Women won’t be put off – they’re still going to be passionate about the TV industry.” Alana, who co-owns cake company Ridiculously Rich with LORD SUGAR, admitted to paying boyfriend Bart Thomas less than her, even though he plays a significant part in the business.
She said: “I am the managing director of the company – I do get paid more but he’s on a good salary.
“He can’t complain. He also has a lifetime of my baking, which is a bonus.”
bizbit
A DOWNTON Abbey film is not imminent, says JOANNE FROGGATT.
The actress, who played Anna, said: “There have been conversations but nothing has happened. We’re all sort of leaving it up to the gods. We have no information.”
Nicole's wedding worries
IT’s usually the contestants who flood The X Factor with sob stories.
But NICOLE SCHERZINGER wanted in on the act while filming the ITV show’s Six Chair Challenge.
On Thursday, she seized the opportunity to lament not having a husband – despite being in a relationship with tennis ace GRIGOR DIMITROV.
After contestant Benji Matthews sang about his grandparents being married for 50 years, Nicole revealed it was her dream to reach her golden wedding anniversary.
She said: “My ambition is to actually find a husband . . . that’s going to take a while, then be married for 50 years.”
Her co-star SHARON OSBOURNE, who has been wed to rocker OZZY for 34 years, also revealed she is hoping they will celebrate the landmark, despite his reported philandering.
She added: “That really moved me as my ambition is to be married for 50 years.”
Their comments came as LOUIS WALSH whittled down 17 male contestants to just six and was forced to hold a sing-off between three lads after failing to make a decision.
He faced boos and hisses from the crowd as he filled all the chairs of doom, after head judge SIMON COWELL encouraged the audience to make it “the worst day of his life”.
At least Nicole and Louis can comfort each other.
related stories
Emmerdale farewell suits Gemma
WAVING good-bye to the Dales seems to suit GEMMA ATKINSON.
Since her final scenes as Carly Hope on ITV soap Emmerdale earlier this year, Gemma has thrown herself into Thai boxing and cage fighting.
Earlier this month, the fitness fanatic went to Portugal for an £800-a-week juice detox – and on Friday, she showcased the fruits of her labour in this tight black dress at the launch of Manchester club History.
She was joined at the club by lingerie model RHIAN SUGDEN and Corrie’s BROOKE VINCENT and JIMMI HARKISHIN.
She looks great.
soapbox
DURING his three years in the Dales, Lawrence White has been shot, beaten up, gassed and had several heart attacks. He’s had more lives than a cat.
And tonight in EMMERDALE, he kicks off a chain of events that leaves his future hanging in the balance, as he resolves to tell Chrissie that “Simon” – the man she fancies – is in fact Tim, her biological uncle.
He leaves things too late though as Lachlan decides to take matters into his own hands and kidnaps Tim.
Lachlan returns home and tells Lawrence he doesn’t have to worry about Tim any more. But Lawrence panics when he hears Tim’s phone ringing in Lachlan’s pocket.
Over on EASTENDERS, Whitney returns to the Queen Vic and drops the bombshell that she’s engaged to Woody.