Rawtenstall Coronation Street star, Sam Aston, says he could not ice skate before training for Dancing on Ice.
Sam, who plays Chesney Brown in the ITV soap, is set to take to the ice this evening (January 12) when the skating competition starts.
Speaking to the Loose Women panel on Friday, Sam said he could not ice skate before training with professional partner Molly Lanaghan.
Sam said: “Training is going alright. It has been hard. I am enjoying it but at the same time, you’re really nervous.
“You do 30 hours of basic training, then you meet your partner and train with them until the live show on Sunday. It is quite a steep learning curve.
“It’s good fun and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am excited to be doing it.”
The dad-of-three said his eldest children, Sonny and Daisy, are looking forward to seeing him on the show.
He said: The older two are really excited about it. They want to know what I am wearing, they are obsessed with the costumes.
“When I announced I was doing it I was dressed as a snowman. My son was more excited about that than actually doing the show.”
Sam’s wife, Briony Aston, said she will be cheering Sam on from the sidelines when he dons his skates this evening.
The hypnobirthing teacher and a doula said: “Last year was the year for me to step into my power during the hardest and most rewarding experience [after giving birth to our third child Hazel], and it was your job to let me, cheer me on from the sidelines and support me through it with love and patience.
“This year the roles are reversed and it’s my turn to cheerlead, which means it’s your turn to step out of your comfort zone and show everyone what you’re made of.
“I’ve no doubt you’ll smash it on Sunday, and every Sunday you’re fortunate enough to make it to, but either way I’ll be chanting your name (or most likely ‘daddy’) with the kids and the rest of your friends and family. Either way, we’re proud of you. Either way, we think you’re golden.”
Gambling.com’s TV Expert, James Leyfield has been monitoring the news on Dancing On Ice and has created markets on who could win the show.
31-year-old Sam is the early 5/1 favourite to win the Dancing on Ice trophy, following in the footsteps of former cobbles favourite Ryan Thomas, who won the competition last year.
Gambling.com’s TV Expert, James Leyfield has been monitoring the news on Dancing On Ice and has created markets on who could win the show.
The Traitors star Mollie Pearce could provide some strong competition, according to the gambling site.
Reality TV stars Ferne McCann from The Only Way Is Essex, plus Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave have also been confirmed as participants.
Charlie Brooks, Josh Jones, Anton Ferdinand, Chelsee Healey, Dan Edgar, Chris Taylor and Michaela Strachan are also in the line-up.
Dancing on Ice airs tonight, on ITV, at 6.30pm.