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Patsy Palmer has been officially announced as the first contestant for Dancing On Ice 2023.
The former EastEnders star was unveiled for the upcoming series during Monday’s episode of This Morning after presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby teased the news earlier in the show with a mannequin in a red wig and some DJ decks.
Asked why she decided to take part this year, she said: ‘Out of all the things that came through at that time, this was the one that I h ad to really think about.
‘Obviously I wanted to challenge myself, get back to work, get out of my comfort zone. I just thought, I’ll just go for it! It seems a lot of fun. I do like ice skating, although I’m not a figure skater.’
She has turned down the show in the past, but decided now was the right time to take the plunge.
‘I’ve been absolutely terrified before, but I feel like the pact I made myself when I was 50, which I was this year, was I had to do things to challenge myself for the next couple of years and get out of my comfort zone,’ she explained.
‘I don’t wanna get stuck in this thing of, “Ah I’m 50!” It’s such a weird age. This is for all the 50 year old that think they can’t challenge themselves!’
Another 11 contestants are expected to be revealed for the series, which traditionally starts in January and runs into March.
They’ll be looking to impress the judging panel, which last year featured Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.
Last year, dancer Regan Gascoigne – whose dad is former footballer Paul Gascoigne – won the trophy alongside professional skater Karina Manta as they beat former Strictly pro Brendan Cole and Vanessa Baeur in the final.
Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt, who was paired with Mark Hanretty, finished in third place, while The Vampis bassist Connor Ball and Olympic BMX rister Kye Whyte were among those who missed out on a place in the final three.
Other contestants included Corrie’s Sally Dynevor, Happy Mondays legend Bez, S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens and more.
Dancing On Ice will return to ITV in January 2023.
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