The Really Wild Show presenter Michaela Strachan says she made a big mistake in preparation for her stint on the new series of Dancing on Ice which kicks off on Sunday night
British TV star Michaela Strachan is set to take to the ice as one of 11 celebs in the new series of Dancing on Ice. Despite her excitement, she has admitted to making a major blunder in preparing for her icy debut.
“My partner is extremely concerned that I’m going to injure myself,” she shared with The Mirror’s We Love TV. “The first thing we did when I was asked to do the show was watch the accidents on YouTube, which is probably the worst thing to do. I’m of an age where it takes longer for me to mend so the thought of injury does concern me.”
The 58-year-old South Africa-based presenter still accepted the challenge, confessing she’s “a show girl at heart” who loves to perform. “I love the creative side of dancing, I trained in musical theatre a very long time ago,” she said. “I really enjoy performing so to be able to go back to that which is something I’ve not been able to do for a very long time really excites me.”
The star, known for presenting The Really Wild Show, The Hitman and Her and Countryfile, added that she has some prior skating experience thanks to her mum.
“My mother went through a phase where she used to do something fitness related every Friday,” she recalled. “One of her phases was ice skating lessons at Richmond rink so in the holidays we would go with her so we probably did it more than the average child, but it was many moons ago.”
Michaela is set to sparkle on the ice with pro partner Mark Hanretty, supported by her close-knit circle including her teenage son Oliver, who’s studying in the UK. “It’s a huge commitment and a lot of time away from home, but this year my son is moving to the UK for university so I’m glad that I’ll be closer to him than if I was home in South Africa,” Michaela shared.
She’ll be gliding alongside a stellar lineup of celebs this season, with TOWIE’s Ferne McCann and Dan Edgar, Mollie Pearce of The Traitors fame, Hollyoaks’ Chelsee Healey, EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks, Coronation Street hunk Sam Aston, comic Josh Jones, Love Island’s Chris Taylor, football ace Anton Ferdinand, and rowing champ Sir Steve Redgrave all taking to the ice.
Holly Willoughby will be joined by Stephen Mulhern once again to host the show, as judges Oti Mabuse, Ashley Banjo, Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean will take to the table.