Spin bowling legend, Monty Panesar, is set to return to highly skilled, technical athleticism – this time, in the form of figure staking, on reality show, Dancing On Ice.
The former England cricketeer has been approached by several reality shows, but Dancing On Ice is apparently the first one that’s proved tempting enough to take.
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Monty refused lucrative offers from The Jump, and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! choosing instead to take to the ice.
Monty was last seen as part of the England team in 2013, competing against Australia in The Ashes, after serving on the team since 2006. He was a fan favourite, noted for his enthusiastic celebration on the pitch.
But personal problems interfered with his career. Monty was fined for urinating on a bouncer, after being ejected from a Brighton Club. He admitted he had broken his Sikh vow not to consume alcohol.
The same year saw the breakdown of his marriage. Monty has been open about the difficulties he’s face in his personal life, including dealing with mental health problems.
But the cricketer is determined to make a dramatic comeback to cricket, so it’s not an accident he’s chosen a demanding physical contest to put himself back in the public eye.
“I asked myself what was most important to me,” he said, speaking to SunSport, “to make a bit of money or to train every day to make sure I am fit and ready so I can play cricket again.
“While I may not be earning as much as before, what is important in my life right now is playing cricket. I don’t care how much effort it takes, how much I have to fight, I am going to make a comeback.”
Dancing On Ice hasn’t been on screens since 2014, when ITV elected not to renew the show for a tenth season.
The return of the ice skating competition was confirmed last month. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will be returning as hosts, while the head judges will be famed figure skating duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Monty will reportedly be competing against Love Island’s Kem Cetinay, with a slew of other British stars rumoured to be joining the show.
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Rumoured contestants include glamour model, Katie Price, former royal butler, Paul Burrell, Bake Off winner Candice Brown, singer Ray J and model Alex Gerrard.
The show is heading to screens in January 2018.