As the nights draw in we’re getting closer and closer to the most wonderful time of year. No, not Christmas – the return of Dancing on Ice!
ITV bosses have been fairly tight-lipped over who they’ve bagged to appear on the ice this time, but they’ve been revealing contestants and judges one by one.
So far the judges have been confirmed as Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and Jason Gardiner, but we know there’s still at least one to be announced.
And now it looks like Ashley Banjo may have accidentally revealed that HE is the mystery judge.
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Talking to the Sun, he said: “I’m not an expert in skating but it is all about choreography, stage direction and music. That is what I do for a living.”
And he revealed his plan for dealing with tough-guy judge Jason Gardiner, saying: “I can imagine us clashing. Do I look like I can be bullied? No chance.
“I’m going to have to start thinking of witty one-liners. Jason is very good at that. He is the king of the one-liners, let’s hope he’s not lost it.”
Sounds like Ashley’s doing it to us!
As for the celebs, so far, they’ve let us know five who will be taking to the ice trying to impress the judges – and we’ve just had word of the sixth.
It’s none other than hunky X Factor star Jake Quickenden!
Jake will join previously confirmed celebs Brooke Vincent, Candice Brown, Kem Cetinay, Max Evans and the legendary Cheryl Baker.
They’ll be doing their best to impress returning judges Torvill and Dean, show favourite Jason Gardiner and one more mystery judge. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will be on hand again for presenting duties.
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Jake said: “I’m terrified. I had my first training session yesterday – I was freezing! Ice is cold!
“But it was amazing, the coaches are unbelievable. I just feel so lucky that I’ve been asked to do it. I’m so buzzing, I can’t even explain. It’s my mum’s favourite! I’ve been wearing [girlfriend] Danielle’s tights to get used to the lycra!”
As well as finding fame on The X Factor – appearing in both 2012 and 2014 – Jake has wowed fans in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, where he came runner-up in 2014.
The star is yet to meet his professional skating partner, but he’ll be meeting them soon before embarking on a punishing training schedule to get ready for the show in January.
We’re already excited for this – and we’ve still got half of the contestants left to unveil!