The first of the 2022 Dancing On Ice contestants have skated and already we’re obsessed with the ITV skating show.
The first live show – hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield – took place last night (January 16).
So who’s already skated, who’s coming next, which pros are back – and who’s already tipped to win.
Read on for all you need to know, including who’s confirmed for Dancing On Ice 2022…
Dancing on Ice skaters – and three new pros – confirmed
Three new pro dancers have joined this year’s show.
Figure skaters Morgan Swales, Tippy Packard and Colin Grafton have joined the line-up.
Meanwhile, old favourites Matt Evers, Alexandra Schauman and husband Łukasz Różycki, Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer and reigning champion pro Angela Egan return.
Read more: Dancing on Ice viewers all have the same complaint as Oti Mabuse makes her debut
Andy Buchanan and wife Robin Johnstone, Brendyn Hatfield, Karina Manta and Joe Johnson also return to skate another series.
However, one big name has been dropped for the 2022 series.
Pro skater Hamish Gaman, who was partnered with Faye Brooks earlier this year, has been dropped from the line-up.
It came after he had to pull out of the 2021 competition early after tearing a tendon in his hand after pulling up a sock.
The previous year he was partnered with Caprice, with the partnership splitting up and Caprice being re-partnered amid claims she bullied Hamish – something she denied.
Pro skaters Yebin Mok and Klabera Komini have also exited the show.
Dancing On Ice 2022 contestants line-up
Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt is appearing on the 2022 show and skated for the first time on the opening show.
She originally appeared on the Heart FM breakfast show with her bandmate Ashley Roberts to reveal she’d signed up.
Read more: Dancing on Ice stars pay tribute as pro skater Sean Rice dies
Kimberly said: “I have signed up for Dancing on Ice! I’m nervous, that ice is going to hit hard.
She added: “I’m just excited to see what I can do on there. I’m up for a challenge!”
As a dancer, and after her first performance, Kimberly could just be the one to watch…
Dancing on Ice contestants 2022: Connor Ball
The Vamps star Connor Ball became the final celebrity to join the skating show line up.
He broke the news on the Capital FM breakfast show to Roman Kemp.
Connor said: “I’m excited obviously but I’m really nervous. I’m quite clumsy, accident prone. Ice is hard!
“It was pretty hard to keep the secret. The rest of the band know. They’re super excited for me.”
Dancing on Ice Contestants 2022: Ria Hebden
Ria Hebden was announced as the 10th addition to the ice.
The entertainment presenter regularly appears on ITV’s Lorraine.
Speaking on the morning programme, Ria shared: “It’ll be fun. This is one of ITV’s most sparkly shows so when they asked me I was like absolutely, we watch it at home.
“It will be brilliant to learn a new scary skill.”
Sadly Ria landed in the skate off during the launch show – she’ll compete against next week’s lowest placed celebrity for her place in the show.
Furthermore, Olympian Kye Whyte will also be taking to the ice.
Kye won a silver medal in BMX racing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games earlier this year.
Read more: The most explosive Dancing on Ice falls outs and scandals ever
Speaking on CBBC’s Newsround, the star said: “I think I was the last person to get selected.
“I was told not to tell anyone and I’ve been waiting for the big reveal. My family knows. My dad and brother roller-skate so I think they’re excited.”
Meanwhile, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole is also taking part Dancing On Ice.
Appearing on Loose Women, Brendan said: “I am so so excited. I want to get started, I’ve wanted it for a long time.
“I’m a fairly confident person but I was terrible [on the ice]. I was a bit wobbly, I was hoping I would be better than I was.”
However, all his fears appeared unfounded as he kicked off the show in sensational style.
He topped the leaderboard and skated what the judges called the best first skate on the show ever!
Rachel Stevens
S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens was confirmed on This Morning.
She told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that she was nervous about doing the show.
Rachel said: “Now it now feels really real… I feel so excited by obviously really nervous.”
The star added: “The opportunity came up and i thought, how wonderful to learn a new skill.”
She’ll skate for the first time on next weekend’s show.
Ben Foden
Sportsman Ben Foden, 36, hinted he had a little skating experience to draw upon.
He said: “I used to skate a little when I was a kid. I’d go to ice discos when I was 15, 16 and you’d always see these kids that could do pirouettes that had a proper dancing background.
“I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill.
“I’m quite competitive as well so I like the challenge of competing against others doing something that I’m not necessarily good at!” he added.
Dancing on Ice 2022 contestants: Liberty Poole
Liberty took part in Love Island 2021 on ITV2 – and has a family connection to ice skating.
She said: “I grew up watching Dancing On Ice and my mum actually used to be a figure skater.
“I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks.
“No pirouetting or anything so I’m really looking forward to pushing myself and learning as much as I possibly can.
“Not just skating around the ice but actually dancing on ice. Bring it on!”
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Dancing on Ice contestants 2022: Regan Gascoigne
Singer and dancer Regan admits he has a long-held ambition to get his skates on.
He said: “Obviously I dance and love dancing but it’s the skill of this.
“I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!”
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Stef Reid
Paralympian Stef Reid was another contestant confirmed for Dancing On Ice 2022. Her participation was announced on Tuesday October 5 on Good Morning Britain.
She said: “I have some really exciting news. I’m going to be picking up a new sport this winter and it comes with a little bit of showbiz.
“I’m going to be a contestant on Dancing on Ice and it’s a little bit scary but I cannot wait!”
Dancing on Ice contestants 2022: Bez
Bez‘s involvement was confirmed on Monday October 4 during an appearance on This Morning.
He told Holly and Phil that he’s more like “Bambi on ice”.
Bez joked: “I was absolutely awful at the audition but they must have seen some potential in me.”
Sally Dynevor
Corrie mainstay Sally Dynevor was the first celebrity announced as having been signed up for Dancing On Ice 2022.
She was unveiled for the show on Monday October 4 on Lorraine.
The Sally Webster star said she had her “fingers crossed” she would do well on the show.
Show bosses reportedly wanted to get her on the ice for a few years.
Dancing On Ice is on ITV every Sunday evening.
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