Dancing on Ice stars revealed

Monday, 5 January 2009

Roxanne Pallett, Melinda Messenger, Jeremy Edwards and Ray Quinn are among contestants confirmed for 'Dancing on Ice'.

The weekly ITV1 show will see a record 13 celebrities dance-off against each other on the ice rink, under the tuition of skating champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

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Michael Underwood - who pulled out of last year's show after breaking his ankle - has been allowed to compete again and will take on fellow TV presenters Coleen Nolan, Zoe Salmon, and Jeremy Edwards.

They will be joined on the ice by ex-'The Bill' and 'EastEnders' actor Todd Carty; rugby star Ellery Hanley; footballer Graeme Le Saux; investigative reporter Donal MacIntyre; presenter and model Melinda Messenger; 'Hollyoaks' star Gemma BIssix, 'The X Factor' finalist Ray Quinn and former Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor.

Skating coach Christopher said: "I'm excited about all the celebrities we have this year. They've been great and I think they can outdo last year."

The celebrities will compete on live TV each week from Sunday (11.01.09) to win approval from judges Jason Gardiner, Nicky Slater, Karen Barber, Ruthie Henshall and Robin Cousins, and will also face a public vote.

Although the skating champions will teach the celebrities and their professional partners a range of moves on the ice, Christopher is currently racing to be fit for the first show as he is presently recovering from arm surgery.

He added: "I want to skate and am really keen to get back. But I have to listen to the doctors and physios who are telling me that I have to be cautious and it might be another couple of weeks until I'm fully fit."

If he cannot make the opening show, his skating partner Jayne will perform on the show without him.

Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are returning to front the programme, which airs on Sundays on ITV1.

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