Claire Sweeney is set to take part in 'Dancing on Ice'.

Claire Sweeney has signed up for Dancing on Ice

Claire Sweeney has signed up for Dancing on Ice

The 52-year-old actress - who shot to fame in the early 1990s when she played Lindsey Corkhill on the now-defunct soap opera 'Brookside' - is currently starring as Cassie Plummer on 'Coronation Street' but will be swapping the cobbles for the ice rink as she gears up to star on the next series of the ITV1 skating show when it returns to screens in early 2024.

Outside of television, the former 'Celebrity Big Brother' star - who has nine-year-old son Jaxon from a previous relationship - has carved out an illustrious career in musical theatre with starring roles in 'Chicago' and '9 to 5' but is unsure that her experience treading the boards will be of any benefit to her on the rink.

Speaking on ITV's 'This Morning', she said: "I'm excited, scared. I'm starting at the bottom. Literally, yeah. How does dancing prepare you for skating? I think it's more about the mind and conquering the fear, and you've got to get over that fear.

"I've had to wear my boots round the house and I had to tell my son why but he's been sworn to secrecy. I've worn them round the house but haven't stepped on the ice yet. Just my son knew. He's nine.

"He's excited about it but I swore him to secrecy about it and whenever I got a call from the 'Dancing on Ice' team he was saying 'Mum, keep your voice down!'"

Claire went on to tease some of the musical numbers she would like to skate to and jokingly suggested she could sing and dance at the same time.

She said: "I know how music makes me feel, I love 'Diamonds are Forever' Shirley Bassey...I could sing and skate, oh my goodness! Do you remember Bonnie Langford when she did the headbanger? That terrified me! My partner will deserve a medal for lifting me up and swinging me round."

The former 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant is the second famous face to be confirmed for 'Dancing on Ice', following on from boxing legend Ricky Hatton.

The sports star admitted he isn't much of a skater, but thinks he should have "all the attributes to do well" on the ITV1 show, thanks to his previous fighting experience.

He said: "If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink. I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy!"

When asked if he is "much of a skater", he said: "No, not at all. But being a boxer I have been on my a*** a few times.

"I can't dance on a solid floor, so I don't know How I'm going to get on on the ice.

"But it's a challenge. It's all about balance, I've got good upper body movement and upper-body strength. You're remembering dance sequences and moves and in boxing you're remembering combinations and stuff like that.

"So I should really have all the attributes to do really well."

'Dancing on Ice' returns to ITV and ITVX in 2024 with a new cast.

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