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ON FINN ICE

X Factor and Eurovision star Saara Aalto signs up for Dancing On Ice

X Factor star Saara Aalto has signed up for Dancing On Ice, The Sun's Bizarre TV column can reveal.

The singer, who also represented her native Finland at Eurovision, will compete on the ITV show next year.

 Dancing On Ice returns in 2019
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Dancing On Ice returns in 2019Credit: ITV
 Saara has previously competed on Finland's Got Talent, The Voice Finland, and represented her country in the Eurovision song contest
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Saara has previously competed on Finland's Got Talent, The Voice Finland, and represented her country in the Eurovision song contestCredit: Rex Features

A source said: "After Jake Quickenden won the show last year bosses were keen to sign up another X Factor star.

"They're sure Saara's showmanship and bubbly personality will translate to the rink and are delighted she said yes."

Saara joins a stellar line-up on the rebooted series' second instalment, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Towie star Gemma Collins was confirmed as the first celebrity to be having a crack, after The Sun revealed she would participate.

Comedian and former EastEnders star Richard Blackwood was the second celebrity to be announced.

 Gemma Collins was the first star to be confirmed as part of the line-up
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 Gemma Collins was the first star to be confirmed as part of the line-upCredit: ITV
 Next up was Richard Blackwood, who soon set his sights on winning
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Next up was Richard Blackwood, who soon set his sights on winningCredit: ITV
Dancing on Ice reveals six celebrities so far including Brian McFadden, Towie's Gemma Collins, a Pussycat Doll and cricketer Ryan Sidebottom

Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan, former Westlife singer Brian McFaddenLoose Women's Saira Khanformer international cricketer Ryan Sidebottom and ex-Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton and Oz actor Mark Little have all since joined.

 Saara is the latest to join a stellar line-up
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Saara is the latest to join a stellar line-up

Saara, who came close to beating Matt Terry to the 2016 X Factor title, will don skates in January 2019 — when the show is expected to begin.

The self-confessed "snow fairy" was voted Finnish Person Of The Year following her stint on the ITV singing show.

Before launching to stardom she came second in Finland's Got Talent in 2007 and The Voice of Finland in 2012, as well as voicing numerous telly characters.

Saara, picked by Nicole Scherzinger as a wildcard act to get through to the live shows, has been composing music since the age of five and represented Finland in the Eurovision song contest in 2011.

 Saara wowed the X Factor judges with her rendition of Sia's Chandelier, but she's hardly an novice having already notched up an impressive CV in Finland
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Saara wowed the X Factor judges with her rendition of Sia's Chandelier, but she's hardly an novice having already notched up an impressive CV in FinlandCredit: PA:Press Association

In October 2016, The Sun revealed that Sara had called off a nine-year relationship with Finnish singing superstar Teemu Roivainen to begin dating a gay female fan, Meri Sopanen.

The couple, who got engaged in August 2016, were at the centre of some controversy after the X Factor was accused of homophobia for not giving Meri any airtime in the semi-final of the show.

 Saara Aalto and girlfriend Meri Sopanen (pictured left) are now engaged
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Saara Aalto and girlfriend Meri Sopanen (pictured left) are now engagedCredit: Twitter

Meanwhile, Dancing on Ice proved a real hit with viewers since its return following a three-year break, after initially running from 2006 until 2014 and not returning until 2018.

Siobhan Greene, ITV's Head of Entertainment Commissioning, said "The show’s welcome back has exceeded our expectations and it’s been fantastic to see the audience at home loving it.

"The recommission is a no brainer and it’s brilliant for everyone involved to know it’ll be back next year."

Vanilla Ice cracks his head open while training for Dancing on Ice
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