Ashley Banjo confirmed to join Jason Gardiner as new Dancing On Ice Judge
FORMER Britain's Got Talent star Ashley Banjo has been confirmed as a new judge for Dancing On Ice.
The professional dancer with join Jason Gardiner on the judging panel as the show returns after three long cold winters.
Ashley confirmed the new on today's Loose Women as he said: "I can officially say I will be joining the judging panel for Dancing On Ice. I’m excited to be part of the revamp and the refresh, it’s going to be amazing."
When asked how he was going to deal with Jason, he admitted:"I don’t know I’m just going to be myself. I can skate but by no means am I a professional skater.
"The choreography, the stage direction and everything that makes it a performance is so important so I’ll be looking at all of that. I’m just going to be honest. I don’t believe in being nasty for the sake of it."
Meanwhile Jason Gardiner promised he will be as honest as ever when The Sun's Dan Wootton exclusively confirmed the his return on Lorraine.
The Aussie, 45, will resume his role on the star-studded talent competition which kicks off later this year, confirming The Sun Online's exclusive reports in March he was "in talks"; with top bosses.
The programme, originally hosted by Phillip Schofield, 54, and Holly Willoughby, 36, was axed in 2014 after nine series due to tumbling viewing figures.
Controversial Jason will lead the DOI revamp - yet he suffered a minor mishap on his return to screen when his microphone got caught on Lorraine presenter Christine Lampard's blouse.
Talking of his new appointment, he gushed: "All over, it's an exciting show to do.
"I am honest - I always call it as I see it but when they're good, I give them great praise and I think I help them to improve a lot."
"I'm not going in with preconceived ideas of how I'm going to be, you have to be there and assess it in that moment, it's only fair to the contestants to go in there being open.
"Being a judge isn't necessarily who I am but it's a role I've got to do to get my point across."
Yet while Jason is a familiar fixture on DOI, it's all change with regulars Jayne Torvil and Christopher Dean.
They are switching their former mentor role to pull up a chair beside Jason on the judging panel.
On Lorraine, he gave his take on how they will fare and said: ""Its going to be wonderful to see that, there's no question they are ice skating royalty, their credentials back up but it's the first time they judge.
";It is quite difficult to be a good judge on the show and remain impartial."
Yet he praised the would-be skating hopefuls for their effort.
He added: "It's one of the hardest and the commitment is intense so let's not discount what they have to go through. we have seen some remarkable people pass through 'Dancing on Ice' and to see that journey is wonderful.
"And also the Todd Cartys, who have gone through the tunnel and disappeared into oblivion, but it's an exciting show to do."
Who is in the line-up for Dancing on Ice 2018?
The Sun Online exclusively confirmed that the line-up will consist of...
- Ray J - Celebrity Big Brother housemate and Kim Kardashian sex tape star
- Ebony Rainford-Brent - England cricket player and member of the 2009 World Cup.
- Jake Quickenden - X Factor and I'm A Celeb hunk
- Sally Morgan - TV's 'Psychic' Sally
- Amber Hill - Olympic Skeet shooter for Team GB
- Candice Brown - Great British Bake Off winner and Sunday Times Baking columnist
- Saira Khan - Loose Women panellist and Celebrity Big Brother contestant
- Katie McGlynn - Coronation Street's Sinead Tinker
- Alex Gerrard - wife of footballer Steven Gerrard
- Max Evans - Scottish rugby player
- Toby Anstis - kids TV presenter
- Paul Burrell - Princess Diana's butler and confidant
- Antony Cotton - Coronation Street's Sean Tully
- Stephen Bailey - comedian
- Olly Smith - TV presenter and wine expert for Saturday Kitchen
- Monty Panesar - England cricket star
It has also been revealed that Hollyoaks’ most glamorous leading ladies Stephanie Waring, Sarah Jayne Dunn and Anna Passey are all battling it out for a spot on the show after bosses confirmed only one will be able to bag a place.
Jake Quickenden, a reality TV veteran and all-round hunk has also been signed up - Bizarre has confirmed.
Also vying for a place on the show is Love Island winner Kem Cetinay - who Bizarre reports has caught the eye of ITV chiefs.
A source said: "Kem impressed ITV bosses in Love Island and they wanted one of the contestants for DOI too.
"They think he could physically keep up with the training and has the personality to be a fan favourite."
Bake Off winner Candice Brown, rapper Ray J and Steven Gerrard's wife Alex are all said to be fighting with Kem for a spot on the show.
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