The Coronation Street star has been confirmed as Dancing On Ice’s second celebrity name by This Morning’s Holly Willoughby
DANCING On Ice has signed Claire Sweeney to star in the upcoming series.
The 52-year-old was announced as the show’s second new addition following yesterday’s article in The Sun.
6
6
6
Liverpool actress Claire will hit the ice in January 2024 after boxing legend Ricky Hatton revealed yesterday.
Claire’s identity was teased on tonight’s This Morning by Dancing On Ice presenter Holly Willoughby, who dropped key clues – including that the contestant was a soap star.
In another nod to Claire’s career, the camera later shot at someone using a paint roller alongside a stopwatch.
From 2004 to 2006, Claire famously hosted the series 60 Minute Makeover, where viewers’ homes were transformed within an hour.
Earlier this year she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Cassandra Plummer, who is the biological mother of Tyrone Dobbs.
Towards the end of the show, 42-year-old Holly and her co-host Ben Shephard finally revealed that Claire will be learning to dance on ice for series 16 of the ITV show.
Claire said: “I’m nervous and excited to do it.”
When asked about her dance experiences so far, she said, “How does dancing prepare you for skating? This is completely different.”
“It’s more about the mind and overcoming fear. You can make beautiful shapes with your arms and things like that, but it’s about overcoming the fear.”
Claire wears her ice boots all over the house, much to the confusion of her nine-year-old son.
However, she still has to step on the ice for the rehearsals.
“The Headbanger scares me,” she admitted.
“I’m looking forward to the makeover. I hear the hair and makeup team is amazing.”
“Having the make-under as Cassie in Corrie and then getting a make-up at the weekend will be really nice.”
Claire’s signing follows yesterday’s confirmation that former world champion Ricky has also joined the cast.
He made a dramatic appearance on This Morning yesterday by punching through a paper umbrella – after The Sun announced his signing two weeks ago.
Ricky insisted he wasn’t afraid to swap the boxing gym for the ice rink, adding: “As a boxer, I’ve been on the floor a few times.”
“But skating is all about balance, just like boxing, and I have good upper body strength.”
When asked why he signed up for the show, Ricky, who campaigns to improve mental health, said: “I beat the drum to keep myself busy.”
“When I retired, I was sitting there with nothing to do, and my willpower was waning a little.
“It’s about taking on new adventures and it’s not quite as new as Dancing On Ice.”
The Manchester athlete retired in 2011 before another defeat in his comeback fight prompted him to retire from the sport for good.
Read more on the Irish Sun
This comes after The Sun revealed that major Coronation Street star and former S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt and Gogglebox’s Stephen have both signed.
Holly will host again, with Stephen Mulhern rumored to be replacing Phillip Schofield as co-host.
6
6
6