Dancing On Ice: Everything you need to know about the 2023 series

Virgin Radio

13 Jan 2023, 09:10

The stars are about to hit the rink for the first time this year on Dancing On Ice 2023.

Eleven stars will lace up their skates and perform some skilful (and likely risky) moves in front of the live audience and those watching at home. 

As we approach the first episode of Dancing On Ice 2023, here’s everything you need to know. 

Who is competing on Dancing On Ice 2023?

This year’s cast of celeb skates is a bona fide who’s-who of the world of telly, music and sport. 

EastEnders star and DJ Patsy Palmer is preparing to hit the ice, and isn’t the only soap star in the line-up. Coronation Street actress Mollie Gallagher will hope to bring glory to the cobbles, seventeen years after Gaynor Faye, who played Judy Mallott on the soap, won the debut series. 

Hollyoaks is also getting a look in, with former Stephanie Cunningham actress Carley Stenson taking to the ice. 

Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu joins fellow reality TV star Joey Essex, as well as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne. 

In terms of music stars, Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton will hope to mirror bandmate Jessica Taylor’s success in 2009, during which she landed in the final. The Wanted singer Siva Kaneswaran will also hope to bring back some glory to the band after Jay McGuiness won Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. 

Comedian Darren Harriott will be on hand to bring the laughs to the ice, while sporting stars this year include footballer John Fashanu and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson.

Who are the Dancing On Ice 2023 couples?

All the DOI couples have now been announced, and they are: 

• Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart

• The Vivienne and Colin Grafton

• Carley Stenson and Mark Hanretty

• Patsy Palmer and Matt Evers

• Michelle Heaton and Łukasz Różycki

• Mollie Gallagher and Sylvain Longchambon

• Siva Kaneswaran and Klabera Komini

• Joey Essex and Vanessa Bauer

• Darren Harriott and Tippy Packard

• John Fashanu and Alexandra Schauman

• Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Brendyn Hatfield

Who is hosting and on the judging panel for Dancing On Ice 2023? 

Once more, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will be in charge as hosts of Dancing On Ice. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Holly revealed why she always comes back to host after all these years, explaining: “I think because there isn’t anything quite like Dancing on Ice. I think I’m a fan of this type of show anyway, when somebody challenges themselves to do something and when someone works with an expert. The professionals are so fantastic and the choreography is so beautiful.”

In terms of the all-important judging panel, legendary ice skating champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are back with former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse and Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo. 

Who is skating in the first week of Dancing on Ice 2023?

Coming up first in the 2023 series will be Siva with pro-partner Klabera, who will skate to Rio by Duran Duran. Michelle will skate to Waking Up Dreaming by Shania Twain with Łukasz. Joey and Vanessa will skate to Mack The Knife by Robbie Williams.

Nile and partner Olivia will perform to Sign of the Times by Harry Styles, while Patsy and Matt will dance on the ice to Ride on Time by Black Box.

Finally, Ekin-Su and Brendyn will make their debut to Toxic by Britney Spears.

That means The Vivienne, Darren, Mollie, Carley and John will take to the ice for the first time next Sunday (22nd January).

When does Dancing On Ice start?

There really isn’t that long to wait! Dancing on Ice returns Sunday 15th January, 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The series then continues every Sunday until the big finale!